Then today I had radio tours and, while I promoted my magazine, what we really all talked about was the memorial and how moving it was. I never considered myself a big fan of Michael's music but I grew up singing his songs, as if they were the soundtrack of my life. His music accompanied all the stages of my life and I know practically all his songs--Ben, Give Love on Christmas Day, Heal the World, I Just Can't Stop Loving You, We Are The World, The Way You Make Me Feel, Billie Jean, Bad, Thriller, Black or White, They Don't Care About Us... And while the memorial for the man who was all about the music had but just 11 songs, it was fit for a king. And he was indeed a king.
For me especially who had just buried my mother, the memorial was heartbreaking. It brought me back to Mama's own wake--with songs and dances, laughter and tears. The love and celebration helped ease the loss. I can't even begin to describe how a death feels like. It is beyond any pain imaginable. And seeing those wonderful people talk and sing and pay their respects to a man who devoted his life to music, dance, love and a better world, just drove home the fact that we must make use of our very very brief time here on earth.
I won't go describe what happened at the memorial since you can find that anywhere and everywhere. But I do wish to share the words that touched my heart:
"He is simply... He is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived." Berry Gordy
"I just want his three children to know: There was nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what he had to deal with but he dealt with it anyway." Rev. Al Sharpton
"I'm glad I lived in an era to see the greatest living entertainer of all time." Smokey Robinson
"Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him... so much." Paris-Michael Jackson
"But even now the King of Pop must bow his knee to the King of Kings." Pastor Lucious W. Smith
Amen to all that indeed.
To the Jackson family and especially to his three beautiful children, you are in my prayers. It never gets better, but it gets easier. God bless you.
I was trying NOT to watch the memorial service but it kept popping up on tv. I accidentally caught a glimpse of his daughter crying, and promptly switched the channel but it was too late :(
ReplyDeleteLike you, I was never really a huge fan, but you're right about how his music was just THERE and marked various points in time. Even songs one wouldn't know were his.
This article from Jane Kingsu's blog, http://mystylekit.blogspot.com/2009/07/tribute-to-king-of-pop.html, made me cry. It was written by Gwen J. Carino who used to work in PR for Manila Hotel and she witnessed MJ's charitable heart.
sending love
ReplyDeleteHi Mariel, ya, I read that, too. Also found this vid of MJ's neighbor who was making fun of the Christmas wreaths on MJ's gate last January. He was wondering why there were so many people parked in front of MJ's house. Then he found out that fans would line up and MJ would sign autographs. Every single day! Even the so-called generous-hearted Brangelina don't do that!
ReplyDeleteD-C, thanks for the love!