8.18.2005

It was 40 years ago today...

(The following was written by my mother, who sent this to me earlier today. I thought it was a very interesting read and asked her if I could share it with my readers here. She said sure, no problem. So I present to you all, my mom....)


It was 40 years ago today...

... and I was among thousands of teenagers sitting in the brand new Atlanta Fulton County Stadium awaiting the arrival of the Fab Four.  Once they entered the field, the whole stadium errupted in ear splitting screams.  But not me.  I was different. Didn't they know - didn't Paul know - that I was the one for him?  I could remain cool because it was just him and me.  He couldn't see me (in fact, I couldn't see him! - he was the size of an ant), but I was going to marry him and run away to England to live happily ever after.  I was 16 years old and eager for an adventure. 

I obsessed about the Beatles - listening to their records ad nauseum (I'm sure for my parents and my sisters).  But I couldn't get enough of them.  They were different - they had cute accents and they wore the most unusual clothes.  They reflected our generation - we were stepping out from the boundaries of the 50s and the "old things."  This was new.  I was ready for that.  It was exciting.  And the possibilities were endless - like the possibility of my marrying a Beatle! 

As I look back on that time, I realize that I was just the normal teenager going through the same things that ALL teenagers go through.  That wish to be different - to stand out - yet, we still wanted to be a part of our peers.  Different but the same.  THAT's why teenagers are confused.  But it was a sweet memory to reflect on today.

9 comments:

  1. how neat for her to share that; a great memory!

    ReplyDelete
  2. that is neat! she's captured many a teen girl's thoughts so well - we've all been there; such an innocent time and so exciting. that's cool she was there - i'm jealous to have experienced something so historical.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What my mom failed to mention is that I am Paul's love child. Shhh -- don't tell anyone!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That's an exceptionally sweet and well articulated memory.

    p.s. And the resemblance is obvious.

    ReplyDelete
  5. loved reading this.. glad you decided to share it with everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dang, Ward.
    Your mom rocks.
    I always knew you were the love child of somebody famous. Now I know.
    But seriously, your mom, Mom #2, ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I attended a Beatles’ concert in Philadelphia as kid (I was twelve, I think.) and still adore them! They were responsible for my lifelong love of all things British. Like your mom, I was sure I was going to marry Paul. I was too young for him then and now I’m too old for him – Hey, how did that happen?

    ReplyDelete
  8. "Hey, how did that happen?"

    So true! What's up wit dat?

    ReplyDelete
  9. So that's why my "I'm a coleoptera"
    line worked on her.

    ReplyDelete