One last time, tears and farewell for the one person who have touched the lives of many generations.
We need not know him the way Brooke Shields knew him. They were childhood friends whose celebrity status bonded them together as icons of their generation.
They were so close then that many thought it was a fitting progression in their relationship that they end us as husband and wife. What could be more ideal than marrying your best friend?
But forever friends they are---they were...
In her eulogy at the Memorial Service at the Staples Center Brooke said, "To the outside world, Michael was a genius with unchallenged ability. To the people who were lucky enough to know him personally--he was caring and funny, honest,pure, non-jaded and he was a lover of life. He cared so deeply for his family and his friends and to his fans."
What Brooke probably did not know is that while many fans loved Michael Jackson from a distance, miles and miles of distance for millions---the millions who loved him knew in their hearts that he is one caring and funny individual. One who radiates and love life.
The songs he gave his fans told us so. His music became our window to his soul, he allowed us into his private world through the music he shared with his millions of fans.
"Wacko Jacko"--this was one of the many ugly titles attached to his name, unsolicited and very undeserving. He never defended himself, he allowed it, because the truth was---even though millions now realized how deeply hurt Michael Jackson was for most part of his life, he decided to keep it to himself.
His journey into life was something that is inspiring to say the least. He went through pain like millions of ordinary individuals---but with dignity and with a very brave face, one that smiles, one that radiates, one that tells you, life is beautiful and that life is a gift from God.
Brooke also said something about her best friend's favorite song. She said, "Michael's favorite song was not one of the countless masterpieces that he gave us, but was a piece that Charlie Chaplin wrote, for the movie Modern Times, it's called SMILE---there's a line in the song that says, smile though your heart is aching, smile what's the use in crying...Today although our hearts are aching...we need to smile..."
Born January 4, 1970--I am one of the millions of Michael Jackson fans who grew up loving and learning lessons of life through his music.
One of the songs I memorized as an aspiring child singer was his song "BEN". "I'LL BE THERE" was also a song of my youth, one that talks about a very vital human relationship: the value of friendship.
Family, friends and millions of fans paid tribute. This one is mine.
We maybe outsiders, not family, not in his circle of friends, not part of the privilege few, but Michael Jackson will stay in our hearts because he was part of us.
For those who cried buckets of tears watching the memorial, it was not because the world lost a music icon for as the final curtain call in his life came, Michael Jackson thought us one great lesson that would inspire many to journey into life the way he did.
With a smile...for life is ours to cherish, a gift that we must protect and treasure everyday of our lives, for as long as we have it.
Let the child in all of us journey life with a caring and pure heart...then it would not be hard to simply do just that---SMILE.
The song lingers on my mind...
"Smile, what's the use of crying/You'll find that life is still worthwhile/If you just smile." (END)
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