
I write this post filled with gloom because today the world laid to rest the greatest entertainer of all time. There will never be anyone like Michael Jackson. The style, the voice, the dance moves might be emulated , but he was the originator.
Some can't quite grasp what is/was the big deal. "Another person has died," they say, "it's the story of life". But for a little Jamaican girl who at the age of 8 saved her lunch money to buy a book and educate herself about who Michael Jackson was, he became everything. His initial small town upbringing gave me hope that even though I come from what is considered a speck on the world map, that I matter and have lots to offer.
As an only child who stood out in my
surroundings for many reasons, I found
solace in the fact that people from all walks of life
appreciated him too. Finally something in common with the masses...his name was Michael Jackson.
Lacking a gift in the voice department I used to annoy my parents singing Thriller, and moving around the furniture in attempt to do the moonwalk. And yes I'll admit it, I sometimes wished Bubbles was mine.
Throughout the years no matter what obstacles
MJ faced, he always had a fan in me. Because I recognize a genius when I see one, no matter their trials and
tribulations.
He seemed resilient and bounced back from everything, so imagine my shock when I heard that he was gone. "It can't be," I said. To be quite honest I guess my love for
MJ subconsciously made me think he was
perennial. But today as he lay in that gold coffin it became clearer than ever, that although extremely gifted, at the end of the day he was just like you and me...human.
I am not ashamed to say that I was overcome with tears on many occasions during his memorial. What a great send off that was.
Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Stevie Wonder, Usher, John Mayer and many others did a superb job. And as for Rev. Al
Sharpton whose intentions I may have doubted in the the past. Wow I was blown away by his speech. What really let the flood gates open, however, was when
MJ's daughter Paris decided to speak. What a brave child.
This day will live with me forever, but I find comfort in knowing that he lives on through his music even though he left us too soon.