Yesterday, I wrote about a Beatles’ song, “Eleanor Rigby,” which I’ve always connected with, at a visceral level, for the way it describes how I felt during a difficult period of my life. The lyrics of that poignant song so eloquently describe the secret world of isolation and hopelessness that many people who suffer from mental illness experience every day. They go about their day living lives of quiet desperation, invisible to the rest of us, their inner pain cloistered away from public … [Read more...]
Musical Memories: Eleanor Rigby
Ironically, the first time I heard the Beatle’s iconic song, “Eleanor Rigby,” was as a patient being treated for clinical depression at the Menninger Clinic in 1970. One of the other patients at the Clinic was a young man in his late teens or early twenties. Some of us nicknamed him “California Boy” or “Surfer Boy.” He usually stayed in his room listening to his newest album on his personal record player. Occasionally, he’d share his music with those of us who listened to music played on the … [Read more...]
Christmas Music All Around
As many of you many know, I love music in all its forms, and often write posts about songs that have touched me in fundamental ways over the years. However, with December 25th fast approaching, cloyingly cute music classified as “holiday-themed” is upon us once again, as pervasive as the army of inflatable Santa Clauses that began popping up in yards across America in the past few weeks. These songs have for years rattled around us like the chains shackling poor Jacob Marley’s ghost, … [Read more...]
Musical Memories: El Condor Pasa
Simon and Garfunkel’s song, “El Condor Pasa” had been a favorite since 1971. Then, and now, the words remind me of Larry and of flying, both literally and spiritually. The lyrics also reflected my gratitude—gratitude that I had been discharged from the Menninger Clinic and no longer lived on a locked ward. After leaving the Clinic, I could decide where Laura and I went, where and when we ate; I could even choose to go to Lake Shawnee for a picnic. Those types of decisions had all been made for … [Read more...]
