Today we have witnesses another important marker in history, the passing of Michael Jackson, was not only a shock for many the world over, but hopefully a lesson in life.
Ask yourself: How many times have we as a people failed to pay tribute to someone, or tell them how much we love or appreciate them until it's too late. Michael was a great example of this type of neglect.
For years we have gone on to speculate over aspects of Michael's personal life, by which we could never possibly arrive at any truth. Michael's struggle with the congenital skin disease venaligo was constantly used in jokes by comedians and even amongst people in casual conversation. As more and more rumors surfaced, the farther the global community moved away from the being that was no longer seen as a person, but a sort of symbol that represented what had been.
This is a man who lived a childhood that is incomparable to that of the average American. A childhood that was not filled with cartoons, and afternoon's at the park. Yet, it is mostly the average Americans that scrutinized his methods of dealing with his lack of a childhood.
Now, Jackson has slipped away from us, and along with him goes all if any remaining potential that he possessed. Not to my surprise, the man who many had turned their backs on, will until further notice be the main focus of conversation, as well as the media around us. The universe has somehow realigned itself in the realization of one's mortality. And as a result, kind words flow from peoples mouth's almost as natural as their breath, and everything that is spoken is now somehow tied to how talented and inspiring his existence was.
But why do we wait until it is to late to appreciate one's goodness? Why does death inspire us to look at the good in a person, when yesterday all we could focus on was the negative. Michael Jackson differed from most of us on the outside, and his life experience's were unique to him and only him. But just like all the rest of us, on the inside he was no different. He required love, appreciation, and belonging like all us. This is a man who lived a life fighting for what I believe were those things, and those alone. Instead of us embracing this man, we outcast him along with his pain. Thus he created his own coping mechanism's, in the form of a large amusement park, larger than life bust of superheros, and a home that was inviting to the spirit of children who possessed the childhood which he never experienced.
Michael is gone now, and there is no amount of tributes that will cause our words to fall amongst his deaf ears. So what must we do? We must not let his passing be in vain. From his story we must learn to share with one another how important and significant our existence's are. We must bring one another the joy of knowing that we are TRULY loved and appreciated, not just IDOLIZED. We must take note in the fact that everyone's story is different, and everyone therefore must cope with their pass in their own way. Just as we cannot compare apples to oranges we must remember that we cannot compare ourselves to one another-- we are unique beings, with unique needs.
As far as Michael goes, I believe the worst is over for him. I believe that Heaven is right here on this earth so long as you can find it. And hell exist not in some strange universe, but right here on earth in other people. All I can hope is that in his time on this earth he found at the least some portion Heaven.
In remembrance of Michael-- Love one another!
- J
