Reply #79: When I first heard Imagine, I was 14

[Der Blaue Engel]

My mother had just died, and I was a firmly entrenched fundamentalist xian. I sobbed when I heard the song, because it sounded so wonderful, and I wanted to be free like that, free of feeling guilt of "disappointing God" and free of terror of demons and hell. It seemed like a dream that was off-limits for me, and I longed to be able to imagine.

I had forgotten about that until just now, when I read your post (and, once again, burst into tears). I've been an athiestic pagan for many years, but those fears are still down there hiding, and I thank you for reminding me that I now know how to imagine something more perfect and more beautiful than heaven. (And thank you, John Lennon.)