A Walk in the Park

A Walk in the Park

11 October 2014

We strolled by the Dakota on our way to Strawberry Fields in Central Park. Not much had changed there since the night John Lennon died in December of 1980. Flocks of tourists still haunted the place, craning their necks to get a glimpse of the spot where Lennon was gunned down.

I'd been to the Dakota several times over the years, but on Saturday, October 11, 2014, I didn't pay it much attention. On that day we were going to Central Park with family and friends to witness our son Sam propose marriage to his girlfriend Crystal.

We all met up at the Imagine medallion in Strawberry Fields. My wife Darcey had made several signs for the occasion. Five, to be exact: WILL - YOU - MARRY - ME - CRYSTAL. Our friends had already gathered at the Imagine medallion and were listening to a street musician singing Beatles tunes when we arrived. Once we were all together we headed down to the lake where Sam wanted to do the proposing. The site was at the part of the lake adjacent to the Ladies Pavilion. A popular wedding spot.

Once there, we were to keep out of sight until our designated look-out spotted Sam and Crystal approaching. Once we got word of their arrival we were to break out in song. Sam wanted us to sing In My Life by the mad Liverpudlian John Lennon. So we did. At least some of us did. Some others were to overcome with emotion to sing at all.

It was a wonderful moment for Sam, heroic in many ways. At the time my son couldn’t travel anywhere without his oxygen tank. He could not walk more than a few feet without running out of breath and needing to rest. I tried to talk him into proposing closer to home. They were having an Oktoberfest in Cold Spring that same day. But his answer was a stern no.

Throughout Crystal’s childhood Strawberry Fields and the lake had always been a favorite spot for she and her dad. And after her dad’s death they became special places for Sam and Crystal.
I never thought I’d be sharing this video, but I no longer see the point of keeping it in the dark. Until recently I hadn’t seen it since the day of the proposal. My son had gathered up his strength and made the train journey into New York City and then that long walk down to the lake to propose to the woman he loved. It was the most wonderful thing and I’ll never forget it.

He would die six weeks later, age 25, at the hospital while awaiting a lung transplant. As the anniversary of his death approaches I felt the need to share one of his best moments with you. Seeing this video makes me proud that he had turned into such a fine young man. He’ll be with me always. Love to all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M23deG-koM