Okay, it's just starting to sink in; I think... Michael, "The King of Pop" Jackson is gone. "Passed away", "dead", "in-spirit", "with the angels", "never singing or dancing again." It's hard to describe the feeling I get when thinking of this reality.He was persecuted and publicly demoralized during the last 15 years of his life, and I feel really bad about that. I think now, even his most adamant persecutors must. He was crucified every day in the press. Why else would he write "Leave Me Alone?" People either had a love or hate relationship with this true "American Idol."
But, for me, he was just the cute little brown kid with a million dollar smile. I remember seeing him for the first time on a TV show in 1972 singing "Ben."
I couldn't believe how the Jackson 5 took me and my heart by storm at such a young age. I was 9 years old when Kim and Tami Callahan, (who lived down the street from me on Desertwood lane in San Jose, where I grew up), used to bring their record player box outside while we were playing hopscotch. Kim would plug it in and spin just three 45's ("Ben," "One Bad Apple," and "ABC") over and over again. Michael Jackson was as synonymous with my childhood as my learning to write; a part of the fabric of my life; the glue being his voice and music. This fabric will play for me always.
The photo above is from a magazine I saved from 1984. It's been in my photo album for 27 years until today. The "Thriller" album was released when I was just 18 years old. At the height of my coming into age and realization of being -- of who I am today.
To his children I say be strong and remember what a good soul their father had. To his family, I say take strength in the fact that he completed his mission here on earth and filled the hearts of countless millions. To his fans I say, the broken heart heals, the emptiness is filled, and we will always and forever be able to walk on the moon in our dreams to the songs of Michael Jackson.
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