Back in 1970, after the Beatles broke up, John Lennon released an album that included a very depressing song called
God. It was about all the institutions he was disappointed in and disillusioned by. Here are some sample lyrics:
I don't believe in magic
I don't believe in I-Ching
I don't believe in Bible
I don't believe in tarot
I don't believe in Hitler
I don't believe in Jesus
I don't believe in Kennedy
I don't believe in Buddha
I don't believe in mantra
I don't believe in Gita
I don't believe in yoga
I don't believe in kings
I don't believe in Elvis
I don't believe in Zimmerman
I don't believe in Beatles
I just believe in me
Yoko and me
And that's reality
Yes, when youthful ideals die, it's both sad and disheartening. But there's another way for a dream to die--it can be fulfilled.
Recently, there was a church father and son's camp-out at a nearby park. It was the park that we used for family camping. It had a lake, lots of camping sites, a camp store, trails and places to explore. Until the kids were old enough to go camping with the Boy Scouts, we went there most summers and sometimes just for a day trip to swim or hunt crayfish. But I'm an old man now, those days are over and I had no sons to bring with me, they've all grown up and left home. While driving into the campsite, I was hit with a unmistakable and strong wave of nostalgia for the good old days when there was a car full of young kids looking forward to a day of adventure. It filled me with a sort of happy sorrow--happy that I had that at one time, sad that it couldn't have lasted forever. I know your memory plays tricks on you, you forget all the struggle and remember only the happiness but that happiness was certain.
I've always looked forward to having a family, even from my teenage years. And I've enjoyed both a happy marriage and happy family life. Like John Lennon, I feel disappointed by so many other institutions, in particular school, college and mission. But the family thing really worked for me. But it's over in the sense that it's an everyday thing. The kids still keep in touch and we have an occasional get-together but the experience has definitely changed. The dream has been fulfilled. It's over and it's both sweet and happy and sad.
