Adieu M.J.

First off I need to make it clear that I am not a big Michael Jackson fan. There are a few songs I like - generally the slower, more meaningful pieces (to me it's all about the lyrics). Others I really don't like at all - including Thriller: it scared me! That being said, though, I still recognize his indisputable talent, genius even. And even if I wasn't actively listening to his music, it was still always there, somehow, in the background of my youth.

So naturally I was somewhat surprised to hear of him dying at the relatively young age of 50. Younger than Dan!!! Perhaps it wasn't too unexpected given that he, like just about everybody in the entertainment industry it seems, regularly used - abused - drugs. You just can't take chances like that with your body.

I wasn't even particularly planning to watch his memorial service, but it was a rainy and cold afternoon so I figured I'd check it out, see what celebrities would appear or perform. And I'm actually very glad I did. I found the whole ceremony dignified, respectful, and also definitely Christian which was incredibly heartwarming and comforting. I left feeling that yes, Michael is in a better place now where, for perhaps the first time in a very long time, he feels as if he belongs and is at home. The musical performances were moving and the tributes really humanized him. And when his little daughter said a few words at the end about the love for her daddy it choked me up. For, despite all the controversies of his life, I'm positive he was essentially a good - albeit sometimes misguided person - who really wanted nothing but the best for the world. In a lot of ways I think he was still an innocent child, struggling to find his way and make a place in a very confusing environment. He left us too soon, but I hope all the positive sentiments he put into the best of his songs really impact the world for the better for a very very long time.