When I saw him standing there, I was transported immediately to Yesterday.
Somewhere on Penny Lane where blackbirds sing, I fell in love with him. I promised to be true, just as he asked, even though I was just 17 and not yet a paperback writer.
Now, in a vast concert hall where everyone was twisting and shouting, my best friend, Eleanor Rigby, began to scream.
“For cripe’s sake,” I yelled at her, my voice sucked into the void with thousands of other screamers. “We’re too old for this. Stop acting like a teenager.”
But Eleanor’s eyes gleamed, and by god, she looked exactly like a teen. “Paul,” she moaned. “In my life, it’s always only been you!”
“Here,” I suggested. “Let me hold your hand. You look like you’re going to faint.”
Paul jammed on his guitar, which gently wept.
A hundred people surrounding me gently moaned.
Including my daughter, but she wasn’t into Paul McCartney’s concert like Eleanor and I were. “Mom, you and Aunt Ellie are embarrassing me,” she muttered. But she seemed to be only mouthing the words. The din sounded like we all lived in a yellow submarine crashing against oceanic waves.
“Love, love me do!” an old lady screamed near me. Wait. That was Eleanor. My daughter rolled her eyes so far back that just maybe, I was amazed at her lack of musical appreciation.
But then she saw someone she recognized. A guy. Her age. “Hey, Jude!” She noticed how enthusiastically he was clapping along with Paul and his 5,000 fans. So, like everyone else in the indoor stadium, she waved her arms toward the heavens, back and forth, back and forth.
I eyed her suspiciously.
“Mom, really. All you need is love.”
We smiled, hugged, and screamed in symphonic joy.
They are great Pamela, and yellow submarine is wonderful song, but my favorite is Hey Jude 🙂
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In concert, Paul sang Hey Jude with EVERYONE singing along, waving hands back and forth. Gave us all (good) goosebumps.
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Good morning, Pam. Well done–so clever: “even though I was just 17 and not yet a paperback writer.” But really, all you need is love.
I hope you enjoyed the concert!
I’m going to share this post with a friend of mine who loves Paul McCartney. 🙂
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I’ve been fortunate to attend three different Paul McCartney concerts in the past few years. One was actually at Fenway Park! All tremendous. I hope your friend enjoys my little bit of fun here – half fiction, half totally true. 🙂
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She did! 🙂
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❤
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ooh, i’m jealous – great post
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A Paul McCartney concert is bigger than life, in some ways. EVERYONE is on their feet singing and clapping and shouting during the entire 2 1/2 hours. ❤
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I’d love to go)
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Very clever, Pamela, and highly entertaining, as I trust the concert was. 🙂
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Paul McCartney knows how to give a show, that’s for sure. Great songs, and he uses a number of different guitars as well as doing a great job on the piano. He’s famous for a good reason. ❤
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I’m sooooo envious!
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A lovely slice of “this ever-changing world in which we live in.” (I take comfort in knowing that McCartney makes grammar mistakes.)
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Who needs good grammar when you have thousands of fans screaming your songs? 🙂 Actually, I think lyricists often ‘play’ with grammar to make a song work. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah!
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Absolutely. I’ve been to see him twice in the past two years. He’s brilliant.
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I loved this Pam! So, I take it you’re a fan of the Beatles? Love it! xo
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Oh my, huge Beatles fan. And I “made” my kids listen to Beatles music as they grew up. so we all sing the songs together. You know, a family who sings together, stays together…. 🙂
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Very clever. I hope you enjoyed the concert. I too was in love with Paul McCartney as a young girl and eventually married an Englishman named Paul. (but not from Liverpool)
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Lucky Paul (YOUR Paul). 🙂
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This made me chuckle. 😊
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Thanks for chuckling. So much fun writing this with Beatles tunes in mind. 🙂
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Yes indeed! All we need is love and a little bit of creative writing 🙂
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You think like me! Hope you’re having a terrific weekend, perhaps biking on Penny Lane. 🙂
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Oh, brilliant, Pam. I so enjoyed this. Yeah, yeah, yeah!
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Let me tell you a secret-I can’t go wrong, writing a story with words from the Beatles! 🤗
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Very clever! Very original! ALL we ever need LOVE! ♥♥♥
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Yeah yeah yeah !!
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This post is only possible because the words of the Beatles’ songs are so well known to everyone. What an impact they had on the world of music. You’ve done a great job of entertaining us with snippets of their lyrics. Well done!
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And that’s why it was so much fun writing the story, Anneli.. First of all most of it is true, so the Beatles tunes fit in naturally. XO
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We love this, yeah, yeah, yeah!
P.S. I was waiting for “she came in through the bathroom window” . . .
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If I didn’t watch my word count so carefully ( I try to keep my posts fairly brief so I don’t bore anyone…) , she definitely would have come through that window! 😆💗
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Adorable is not usually a word I’d use to describe your posts, but this one fills the bill. Creative too, but you always are.
It occurs to me that all together in a yellow submarine would mean close quarters. But, if we think of it as the planet we share, well, that’s another story altogether. I’m always delighted reading your posts and in awe of your creativity, Pam. Thank you!
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I love your idea that it’s our planet that is a yellow submarine, and we all try to live in it with kindness and good cheer!
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Pam how clever is that! I adore the Beatles so with each of your titles woven into the story I began hearing the music. If you indeed went to a concert with Paul I am out of this world envious. 🙂
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Oh yes, this tale is more fact and fiction, Sue. Eleanor was actually my sister-in-law, Connie. We had so much fun, not just singing along with Paul, but watching my daughter’s reaction to us screaming like teens! 🤣
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Wow well then that is an extra special post!
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Beautifully fun, clever, and heartwarming Pamela! Yellow submarines are great, but you forgot Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane! 🙂
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Penny Lane is right up there in the second paragraph (see? it fit in so naturally you couldn’t tell).Strawberry Fields were nowhere near that concert hall, but if I had more space for my post, I’d have us all leaving with Paul and dancing among the clovers in those Strawberry Fields. 🙂
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Yes, I later noticed Penny Lane, but am grateful you left the Strawberry Fields for me to romp in! 🙂
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Music is a great uplifter and age melts with the symphonies as they go higher…love and music is a deadly combination Pam! Thanks for the reminder.
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Love and music go together like peanut butter and jelly, like the birds and the bees, like laughter and sunshine. xo
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Very clever!
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May we all Come Together in friendship and love, thanks to the music. xo
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What a hoot, Pamela.
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I enjoy these songs eight days a week, John. Happy tunes to you!
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😀
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How fun! My long time girlfriend (since I was born) and I went to a concert with her grown daughters, and all they did the whole time was roll their eyes at us as we sang, danced and swooned.
I love the part where you said some old lady screamed “love me do” and it was your friend. Haha. We forget our age sometimes, don’t we? 😉
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The BEST part of singing and screaming and enjoying a concert is …. forgetting our age! 🙂
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Lucky you! I thoroughly enjoyed your sharing the concert with us! Glad you embarrassed your daughter! I love Hey Jude. Paul was my favorite, but I wasn’t a big Beetles fan. Appreciated their music in recent years.
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I grew up with the Beatles, since I was in 6th grade when I was introduced to them on the Ed Sullivan show. Their songs (and maturing themes) grew along with me. What’s wonderful is that the tunes are just as fabulous now as they were “way back then.”
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Very nicely done. Mind you I will not forgive Paul for Mull of Kintyre, admittedly post Beatles. And sadly he should never have tried to lead a singalong at the 2012 opening ceremony with his voice less melodic than my lawn mower. But his early days… so fab. Thanks for all those memories.
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Haha. In my ears, Paul sounds as good as he did when I was “just 17.” 🙂
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Now Pam, I Want to Tell You that it’s clear that this was a challenge where you really decided to Think for Yourself. What’s funny is I was at that concert, too! But I was with Michelle, and the Two of Us were screaming, too! If only I’d known – we could have Come Together! I better get moving because the rain has finally let up, and thankfully Here Comes the Sun. What an inspiration you are! 🙂
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It may be a long and winding road, but one of these days, maybe we’ll both attend another one of Paul’s concerts and find each other in the crowd and scream, “Yeah Yeah Yeah!” I hope we can work it out! xo
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Then I’ll be looking out for you! I will. xo right back at ya. 🙂
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This is so clever, Pam. I saw Paul McCartney in concert two years ago at Desert Trip. He was very impressive. When he shared little anecdotes with the audience, it made me feel like I was chatting with him at a coffee shop (albeit a very large one)!
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Yes, Sir Paul has a way of making a huge screaming crowd feel like they’re having tea with him in his backyard as we all say Hello Goobye over and over again. 🙂
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Love it! ❤ xo
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Paul has never let me down, Bette! 🙂 So glad you enjoyed my singing tale. xo
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This was fun to read. I didn’t get a chance to get caught up in the music frenzy but I did enjoy the music when I had a chance to listen. The way you tied this all together was genius.
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I wish I could say I ‘know’ music. I don’t, but I know what I like. So I switch from classical to Beatles rock every day, depending on my mood. And in the end, I just sigh, “Let It Be!” ❤
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So clever, you.
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The Beatles and their music have been with me my most of the time “In My Life,” and I’m so grateful for their muse/ic. xo
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My last Paul McCarthy concert was 10 years ago. I remember all the clapping and singing along and having so much fun the entire time.
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A Paul McCartney concert has never “Let Me Down,” Gerlinde. In fact, Paul always leaves me twisting and shouting. 🙂 xo
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What a fun post! I do love Yesterday and Hey, Jude and Let Me Hold Your Hand.
I was in college during “the British Invasion.” It’s surprising to me now, but that time reminds me more of Joan Baez. She was very popular in my dormitory. I bought a baritone ukulele and learned to play folk songs. I only came to appreciate the Beatles and their songs later. I think in the beginning, they were more popular with younger teens, at least that’s the way their early crowds in the US looked.
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Yes, I was in 6th grade when I watched the Ed Sullivan Show and first heard the single “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.” I admit, it was love at first sound, and Beatles became the soundtrack of my teens, thus they took a strong hold on me my entire life.
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P.S. Do you still play the ukulele? I have some friends from college who have just ‘rediscovered’ their love of that instrument and are taking lessons! ❤
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Ah this is a good one. I was not a teenager when the Beetles arrived on the scene but I really like their music. And the good thing is that Paul McCartney is still going strong and his voice has remained strong as well. You were so fortunate to be able to see and hear an icon of the music world. I know you will not soon forget the experience of two and one half hours of joyous memories.
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That 2 1/2 hours was like a bubble that surrounded all of us; perhaps as if we WERE in a yellow submarine laughing and cheering and forgetting the ugliness outside of the bright bubble. Not a bad way to spend an evening (plus, the joy stayed with us for days).
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Great stuff from you as usual Pamela. Clever linking of the songs including poor old George’s.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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George was the quiet guy behind Paul, John, and Ringo, but I think he added a lot of ‘soul’ to the music. SO great to see you here David. Huge Hugs to YOU. xoxoxo
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Reblogged this on The Write Stuff and commented:
A post sure to bring a smile (and maybe a tear) to those of a certain age (like myself) who remember every one of these songs, each from the day it hit the airwaves. Made me smile all over to read it, and after the ongoing drama of this past week, I need all the smiles I can get. How about you? Check it out and pass it along. After all, all you need is love! 😉
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Pingback: Strawberry Fields Forever | writing to freedom
Fabulous! ♥
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I could sing these songs Eight Days a Week! 🙂
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This is such an amusing and inventive way of telling us about your night out Pam, it sounds like you really enjoyed it 🙂
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SOMETHING about the Beatles music that keeps the joy inside for a long time, Andrea. xo
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Good music is definitely universal, Pam.
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HERE, THERE, and EVERYWHERE, the music taps into our hearts. xo
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So. Much. Fun!
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IN MY LIFE, this was the best concert I’ve ever attended. 🙂
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😁
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Very clever!
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With music, Yesterday can seem like Today. ❤
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-grin- I chased a rolling stone for my satisfaction, but…I can empathize with your trip down the yellow brick road. 🙂
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Mixed musical metaphors – love it. Rolling Stones, Elton John, Beatles all helping us come together. 🙂 xo
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Amen. 😀
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Such a delightful, nostalgic post, Pamela. 💕
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Thanks Carol. The Beatles tunes do ‘take us back,’ but they fit in this time just as well. Genius!
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Oh sounds like a blast Pam. Loved the clever story on your wonderful time. 🙂
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The concert was a “blast,” Debby, figuratively and literally. Haha. Fireworks when Paul played “Live and Let Die.” 🙂
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Ooh, I get chills imagining! 🙂
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You got me smiling ear to ear at 4:30 in the morning! I love this piece — you’re so clever and creative. And how lucky for you to have gone to a few Paul McCartney concerts! I’d love to go to one of his concerts, even if it was held in a yellow submarine! 🙂
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I’m claustrophobic, but for Paul, I’d listen and sing with him in a yellow submarine too! (Well, if it was a big BIG submarine). 🙂
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entertaining post. I’d have been screaming and waving my arms too.
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I know, we couldn’t help screaming – it was an automatic (FUN) response! 🙂
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and exhilirating, i bet.
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Ah, what a wonder if life was that simple. Well, it used to be. Then I grew up.
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That about sums it up. ;-0
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How delightful and creative! I can’t get enough of “anything Beatles.” I’ve also seen Paul perform, but wish I could say I’d had other previous contacts before it was too late. I have Beatles photos (purchased at an authorized event) on my wall and other nods to their place in my heart placed strategically where I keep my vinyl records. This 66 year old is a teenager when it comes to the Beatles. LOL! Great fun, Pam!
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This post hit me like Maxwell’s silver hammer. Well done!
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🔨 Bang Bang Silver Hammer 🎶
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Excellent, Pam! I grew up on the Beatles because my dad was a huge fan. I know all the songs and all the words.
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Loved that and so clever! Long live Paul, rock and roll, dancing and joy! Peace and love❤️
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And Rock ‘n Roll. xo
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Very clever. I love doing this with songs. I hope you enjoyed the concert. Hard to believe he’s 76 or so, still performing and has a number one album..:) who would have thunk it fifty years ago..:)
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Fifty years ago, I’d think 70 was as good as dead. :-0 Funny how our perceptions change. 🙂
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Well that was awesome fun!! So cool you go to go to that concert! I love Paul McCartney and my daughter used to completely enthralled with the Beatles and she started THAT journey listening to The Monkees, believe it or not! We were fortunate enough to see Davy Jones a few years before he passed and then we saw him with Peter and Mickey after that in St Louis. It was great fun!!
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I read a neat article about the Monkees a while ago, in which the journalist noted that the guys that made up the group were all great musicians and didn’t quite get their due recognition of that. What fun to see them in person.
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Not only did we see them but daughter got to go backstage, get autographs and picture with them. It was was cool for her. She loved Davy Jones… nevermind that he was same age as her grandmother! 😂
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🙂 She’s an “old soul” who sees beyond years to the person “inside.” The way it SHOULD be. xo
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Now that is clever!
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🙂 xo
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Great blog!
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Thanks so much. Positively yours, Pam 🙂 (You have a great blog, too!)
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Thanks a lot! 😊
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