Goodbye Michael

Today the world said goodbye to a wonderful father, a much loved brother and son, a sweet "child inside a man’s body" and one of the most incredible artists who has ever lived. Michael Jackson reached into the hearts of more people, through his music and dancing/entertainment than anybody ever in the last 2009 years.

I grew up with Michael Jackson, as so many of us did, and nearly every one of his songs brings a flood of emotion to me… not because of him of course but because his music was so much a part of those memories that I treasure. Memories of friends, and family, school, and long weekends, and summer camping trips. I can’t listen to any of his music without remembering some part of my life I had forgotten about.

That was the power of Michael Jackson. It wasn’t the boy, or the man, or the performances as much as it was that he wove himself into the fabric of our lives, and he was there at EVERY stage. Some artists were there during elementary school, others during highschool, and yet others during college… different singers again at my wedding, and during the birth of my children…. a new group accompanied me on my runs as I lost what I had gained from those babies… There was music when my mom got sick, and when Jim’s cousin died… but Michael was there for ALL of those events. All of them. Every song reminds me of a different piece of my life.

I feel sad that he won’t be with me to share what is to come of my life.

I was sad I was only able to catch the end of the service. As soon as it comes out on DVD I will have it.