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Remembering John Lennon
The year 2020 marked the 40th anniversary for things that stood the test of time. Post-it notes were introduced to the public, Rubik’s Cube made its global launch, The Empire Strikes Back debuted, and in 2020 my husband and I were married 40 years. Forty years ago, we had moved from my tiny, pre-war studio on the Upper West Side to a desirable doorman building in the neighborhood. We signed the lease on December 8, 1980.
That morning, the building agent called to say that an apartment had become available and to act fast or we would lose the deal. We left work before noon, took the subway to the agent’s office, and closed the deal on our first apartment as a couple. Before returning to work that afternoon, we celebrated over tall turkey and pastrami sandwiches at the legendary Jewish delicatessen, Fine & Shapiro’s.
Heading back to the subway, we walked past a crowded sidewalk filled with minty-smelling Christmas trees that announce the true arrival of the holiday season. Except it was a balmy day. At 72nd Street and Central Park West my husband and I stopped to admire The Dakota, the renowned apartment building where John Lennon and Yoko Ono lived. As we passed the iconic archway entrance, one of us mused Wouldn’t it be great if John Lennon walks out right now?
But he didn’t. Life can deliver great happiness and profound sadness, sometimes on the very…
