Bono, lead singer of Irish-rock band U2, recently said he may never play guitar again due to injuries he sustained from a bike accident last November. Facing this realization, he said, has brought him to his knees.
In an article titled "Little Book of a Big Year: Bono's A to Z of 2014," published on the band's website, Bono revealed that he broke his arm in six places, fractured his eye socket, hand and shoulder blade in a "freak accident" in New York.
The 54 year old Dubliner revealed that he was unable to move around physically and would have to "concentrate hard" to be fit for U2's next tour.
At the time, the hospital where Bono was being treated said he had been involved in "a high-energy bicycle accident when he attempted to avoid another rider".
Although the Irish rocker now has a titanium elbow, he says he "can't blame on anyone but myself".
He writes: "I blanked out on impact and have no memory of how I ended up in New York Presbyterian with my humerus bone sticking through my leather jacket. Very punk rock as injuries go".
Bono continued: "Recovery has been more difficult than I thought. As I write this, it is not clear that I will ever play guitar again. The band have reminded me that neither they nor western civilization are depending on this.
"I personally would very much miss fingering the frets of my green Irish falcon or my (red) Gretsch. Just for the pleasure, aside from writing tunes.
The "Songs of Innocence" singer also reflected on what he learned from his accident including the tongue-in-cheek realization that he is not "an armoured vehicle".
But ultimately, Bono writes, the the vulnerability of his state in addition to the past holiday season has brought him to his knees and caused him to reflect on the life and humility of Jesus Christ.
"...the Christmas story..still brings me to my knees - which is a good place for me lest I harm myself or others," he writes.
"Christmas is not a time for me to overthink about this child, so vulnerable, who would grow so strong... to teach us all how vulnerability is the route to strength and, by example, show us how to love and serve.To me this is not a fairy tale but a challenge. I preach what I need to hear."
In concluding his letter, Bono said he will likely not communicate with fans again for a long while.
"The consequences of this freak accident are significant enough that I will have to concentrate hard to be ready for the U2 tour in fitness terms," he said.
"As a result I have cancelled every public appearance and decided this missive is all the communication I can manage for the first half of 2015, beyond muttering and singing to myself of course."
