Dear Yoko

Yoko is a polarizing figure in Beatles history. At the time of The Beatles’ breakup, she caught the ire of fans, the vast majority of whom blamed her for the breakup. From the time she and John got together, she suffered through public ridicule and racial slurs. 

Only after years of analysis did that narrative begin to change. In recent times, as more information has become available, the blame has been shifted to the boys in the band. “Dear Yoko”, the exuberant tune from "Double Fantasy," expressed John’s delight in his marriage and his appreciation for all that Yoko had endured. John was genuinely content, perhaps for the first time in his life, and he wanted to share that joy with the world. 

Knowing you are where you’re meant to be breeds contentment. John wanted everyone to know how much Yoko meant to him, and that he had rediscovered himself by devoting himself to a domestic life away from the limelight. His willingness to be vulnerable about joy gave others permission to celebrate their own good fortune.

Opening himself to public ridicule by expressing devotion to Yoko required courage. This tribute to her bounces along with the infectious energy of a young lover. John had written songs for years expressing insecurity. This song, as well as the rest of the album, expressed the growth and contentment John found before his tragic death. 

Today, I will express joy to a loved one without tempering it with conditions. 

What happiness have you been downplaying to avoid seeming unsophisticated? How might celebrating it openly invite others to embrace their own joy?