I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Again, Redux

This blog post was first published  on May 16, 2012.  It retains its sentiment as strongly today, on what would have been Gene Kelly's 97th birthday, as it did some nine years ago. Make sure to let someone know you love them today, and hold that person's hand if you can.

Gene Kelly, Amherst College circa 1944

 

 

This one is personal.  My father, Eugene E. Kelly, Jr., departed this mortal coil on St. Patrick’s Day Eve  eight weeks ago today.  He was 88 years old.  Gene loved music, he loved golf, he loved to write.  I guess this blog was genetically preordained.

My dad was suffering from a rare and aggressive form of carcinoma, so in many ways his passing was a blessing.  But not in all ways.

I spent the last day of his life with him and family, and I held his hand most of the evening as he neared his death. Sadly, I hadn’t held my father’s hand in decades.

Before my own experience with the passing of a loved one, I had saved a news article I had read when George Harrison was nearing the end of his life.  (My dad also loved to clip news items.  Go figure.)  Several years ago I wrote this observation in my Golf Album notes:

When George Harrison was dying of cancer, Paul and Ringo went to visit him at the hospital on Staten Island in New York City where he was being treated.  After the visit, Paul and Ringo spoke to reporters.  One of the things that Paul said was that they each held George’s hand as they spoke to him.  Paul observed that it was the first time he could remember that he ever held George’s hand.   It was so incredibly poignant.  They had been through so much, for so many years,  and never held each other's hand.  Not that men do a lot of that, but still.  It brought a tear to my eye, and I haven’t thought about saying goodbye the same way since.

All Things Must Pass, Indeed

Little did I know that these words, describing a Beatles’ goodbye, a member of the greatest band ever and a force in my young and adult life, would prophetically describe almost exactly my goodbye to the person I was closest to in my life.  

I can’t parody here.  The finality of death is too sobering.  John Lennon’s death was heart-rending in many ways, most of all because it meant the Beatles would never be again.  Paul and Ringo will never hold George’s hand again. I will never hold my father’s hand again.  So, here’s a tribute to the great George Harrison, and the even greater Gene Kelly.  Let’s try to be happy and sing one of the Beatles’ greatest songs, as joy-inspiring as any song ever written, with lyrics which now resonate with new meaning for me, and perhaps for Paul and Ringo, too.   And, please, sometime today please hold the hand of someone that you love, and feel happy inside.

God Bless You, Dad.  I love you.

Gene At His Beloved Ballybunion

I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND

Songwriter/Composer;

John Lennon  

Paul James McCartney

Publishers: Songs Of Universal Inc.

Oh yeah, I'll tell you something
I think you'll understand
When I'll say that something
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand

Oh please, say to me
You'll let me be your man
And please, say to me
You'll let me hold your hand
I'll let me hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand

And when I touch you I feel happy
Inside
It's such a feeling that my love
I can't hide
I can't hide
I can't hide

Yeah, you've got that something
I think you'll understand
When I'll say that something
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand

And when I touch you I feel happy
Inside
It's such a feeling that my love
I can't hide
I can't hide
I can't hide

Yeah, you've got that something
I think you'll understand
When I'll feel that something
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand

AMDG

R.E. Kelly 2012 - 2021

Happy, Happy Birthday, Geno!!

 Our dad loved golf.  He loved his family.  He loved life.  And his family loved him.

I'm sure the fairways in heaven are lush, the greens perfectly manicured and very slow on the Stimp,  and no one ever loses a ball, or three-putts.  Play away, Geno!  We miss you and love you.

Love you, Dad!

                                                        R.E. Kelly Copyright 2012-2021

                                                                       AMDG