I woke up early this morning, opened my eyes and noticed the date on my digital alarm clock: June 18th. I felt a flutter of excitement. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve held a special feeling about this day. Is it my birthday? No. Is it the birthday of a loved one? Sort of.
June 18th is Paul McCartney’s birthday. He is 78 years old today.
My sisters and I cried and squealed and swooned, like millions of others young girls around the globe.
I was eight, and already a raving fan, when he stepped onto the stage at the Ed Sullivan Theater and melted my heart. He shook his mop top, and sang his twenty-one-year-old heart out. My sisters and I cried and squealed and swooned, like millions of others young girls around the globe.
Over the years, my love for Paul deepened, as I grew to fully appreciate his artistry of songwriting, his sweetness of demeanor. My heart broke for him when John Lennon was tragically murdered. I knew just a bit about the bond they shared from an early age, both having lost their mothers so young. I grieved again, when he lost Linda Eastman McCartney, his wife and true love, to breast cancer in 1998.
In later years, I’ve been moved countless times by his generosity and warmth, his pure heart. And I’ve been saddened by some of the public betrayals that I know wounded him deeply.
Not too long ago, James Corden did a wonderful, extended version of Carpool Karaoke, where he drove around Liverpool with Paul, visiting famous sites like Penny Lane, and singing old Beatles songs together. Paul was charming as ever, playful and sweet. He actually seemed to enjoy singing those songs with James, allowing us all to imagine the fantasy of getting to sing with him in the car. He told a wonderful story about his inspiration for Let It Be, calling upon his mother Mary’s presence, which made James cry.
They visited his childhood home, where Paul reminisced on the spot where he and John wrote She Loves You, and they first played it for his dad (who suggested they change the lyric to She loves you, yes, yes, yes…).
When they left the house, a crowd had gathered. I watched Paul take time to connect with some of the fans, and hear their stories of how much he meant to them, how they’d named children after him. In every instance, Paul’s humanity and humility shone through.
And even as I can point to all these beautiful moments, there remains something elusive and mysterious in my love for Paul McCartney. There is magic in the unique dance of his soul and spirit that utterly enchants me. I just want to weep and dance for joy at the same time.
As I lingered in my early morning reverie, I realized that for me, Paul McCartney is an immediate touchstone to gratitude. What a gift that is!
Who are the people that instantly open your heart to gratitude and celebration?
It’s an interesting place to look for all of us. Who are the people that instantly open your heart to gratitude and celebration? Whether they are artists we’ve never met, or loved ones with whom we share our day-to-day, the people who lift us to gratitude are living, breathing blessings in our lives.
So I begin this day with a celebration of Sir Paul. Happy Birthday, Paul! Thank you for gracing us with your beauty for all these years. I pray I will get to keep celebrating your birthday for decades to come.
Keri Lehmann says
I love this. I am struck by so many things. How we might put famous people on pedestals, but it’s their realness and humanity that has us love them. I was so touched and moved and exhilarated by that car karaoke episode! What a thrill! And so so moved by Paul’s humility and loveliness. And how vulnerable and courageous it is to BE famous. And have your life right “out there” warts and all. I can hardly deal with having a face book page…
I’m also moved by how you see people, Leza darling. You always have seen the gifts of peoples deepest selves. Celebrity or no. I have so much gratitude for how you do that and share that. Love you!
Vassiliki says
Who are the people that instantly open your heart to gratitude and celebration?
That’s a question that makes me feel blessed and happy just by pondering an answer. I have a particular person in my mind. :)))
Also the ones that are close enough to bring out the best in us by accepting and loving us the way we are.
And the ones that might be far but who’s posture in life inspire us to live life fully and gracefully, like Paul.
Leza Danly says
Beautiful, Vassiliki. I love the way you tease out the function– the ones close to us loving us as we are, the ones at a distance who model the qualities to which we aspire. And sometimes we are very lucky, and get both of those things in the ones nearest to us. I feel so blessed to have many dear friends who are both! 😉
Ann says
I also watched the Carpool Karaoke featuring Sir Paul – they ran it twice, so I got the rare treat of his shining humanity times two. When they “hit the scene” when I was about 13, my best friend loved Paul, so I felt that I should choose another Beatle to love. It was John Lennon. But….in my heart, I still loved Paul.
I felt an immense connection to him as he toured Liverpool with James. He and his soul both sing to me.
Thank you for the reminder Leza.
Leza Danly says
I love this, Ann! Yes, we all had “our” Beatle. I was also very intrigued by George, with his quiet, mystical ways. By the way, here is the link for the Carpool Karaoke, if you are ready to see it again! https://youtu.be/QjvzCTqkBDQ
Linda Kaun says
I too loved Paul “the best” of all the Beatles. There was something magical about him though I kind of lost touch over the years. But I happened to catch that show with James Corden also and felt utterly blessed to walk through those streets with them and hear all the stories. I love how you connected that to gratitude– those sweet moments of purity that come our way when we open to them. Thanks
Leza Danly says
Yes! It’s so true, the sweet moments of purity, what a great phrase. I didn’t say this directly, but this is part of what moves me about Paul. With all the tragedy and pain he’s faced, he retains a purity of innocence and powerfully generates the resonance of hope. He is such a light in this world!
Sheena Yusuf says
Beautiful ! Thank you for sharing. This reminds me of A few people in my life who I have met and some never met, some never met that bring up gratitude , through their grace / generosity/ unwavering commitment/ vulnerability / Innocence etc
Thank you Leza