The look of Michael Jackson that I will remember

When I heard the news, at first I believed that it was rumor. The King of Pop dead at the young age of 50? So suddenly? It couldn't be true. I was too young to understand the icon of Elvis Presley and his death at the age of 42 in the year 1977. Questions are pounding in my head--what caused the cardiac arrest of Michael?

Last night as I watched the ABC News special report on the life of Michael Jackson, unexpected tears trickled down my face. At the age of 14, only a year after my family left small town Titusville, FL to the wondrous big city of Columbia, MD (outside of Washington DC), I had won a pair of tickets on radio station to see Michael Jackson in the Victory Tour where he reunited with his brothers. The year was 1983.

Ten years younger than MJ, he influenced my life as a teenager in many ways. From a fashion standpoint, he influenced the trend of corduroy to sparkly black and white outfits to red leather to sequined everything in the 1980's.

But his music was more than a short-lived tune on the radio station. He accomplished what no other politician or world leader had set out to do. The musical genius of Michael Jackson moved, uplifted and joined an entire world. People of all backgrounds, cultures, races celebrated life through the music of Michael Jackson. An avid aficionado of the music and the arts, thanks to my mother, music motivated me and I loved to dance. For years I performed ballet but at home and at parties, I danced freestyle, my style to an upbeat Michael Jackson song. Michael sent an underlying powerful message-- it's OK to be different. And if you didn't liked my dance moves--well then "Beat It!".

His moonwalk and robotic gestures was his signature dance style that was a constant in all his videos and performances. He was different and he capitalized on it rather than shy away. His way of being "different" eventually boomeranged with a vengeance.

Personally I never believe that he harmed any children. On the contrary, after a lifetime of hardwork since a tender age of five, and having everything in the world, clearly the only thing missing in his life was his childhood. Listening to his interviews, I choked back tears when he said he would hear other children playing in the park across the street from the studio. But his father's disciplined regimen for the Jackson boys, meant studio practice everyday after school. There was no time to be a child. I can relate as I recall learning Algebra and how to play chess on a Saturday when other kids were playing outside. But that was once a month, not my entire childhood. I'm grateful for my father teaching me math equations and strategy at a young age. There was still plenty of time to play dress up, hopscotch, climb trees, and play with my Barbies.

Thus when the King of Pop opened Neverland, I knew Michael was living another dream he was forced to give up. An estate full of amusement park rides, Michael even welcomed groups of handicapped children to enjoy the rides. He loved children and just wanted to be one of them. Michael Jackson was a performer on the outside but a big child lived within. He longed for games, rides, sleepovers--anything related to happy children. Odd? Yes. Understandable? Put yourself in his shoes and imagine not having any childhood.

Michael broke so many barriers. Billie Jean was the first black video to be featured on MTV. His fashion was a template for a generation. Just when you thought his songs, dances, videos, and concert performances couldn't get any better- he surpassed them. Rewatching his music videos--he gave 200% of his burning passion in every single choreographed move. He was a phenomenon.

His Thriller album launched in 1982-- the same year I experienced the thrill of high school graduation and went away to begin college life. Thriller launched Michael Jackson into orbit and he never came down. He took the music video and turned into a mini motion picture. Below is the entire music video for Thriller. Warning: It's 13 minutes long. To appreciate his talent as artist, understand that in 1982 music videos were just that. Music Videos.

In the end I will always remember Michael Jackson as pop icon before the "transformation". When he underwent minor cosmetic nose surgery--he was still the same Michael to me. As he gained more fame and riches so did the toxicity of stardom, and he struggled with his inner identity and now I learned that he had a form of lupus that can cause vitiligo. Is it true? Who am I to judge. All child stars suffer beyond painful growing pains. Some who get out of the engulfing black hole, can survive. Will Smith did it. Most are not so lucky. But I believe Michael Jackson was ready for a comeback.

The King of Pop died a long time ago, and just when he was going to resurrect, death beat him to it. But like all larger-than-life figures, his music and life will be celebrated forever. That is the power of the arts! The power of music and dance--the universal language of love and celebration.

What does my Blog Sister, Alicia, have to say? Read her blog.

For his biography and view a gallery of his photos and peruse listing of all his songs, click here.

Mr. Wright is way ahead of other architects. People just think 'prairie house' when they hear his name. But he's so much more than that. If you listen to what he says about organic architecture, you can go build natural houses anywhere in the world. People don't understand that now, but they will someday. What I'm trying to say is, he's a prophet. He's going to change the way architecture is praticed. Period. [from his loyal apprentice Taylor].

In the beginning of the book, after leaving their spouses, the pair flees to Europe, finding delight in a less-disapproving continental society, as well as an outlet for their cultural pursuits. Mamah, the independent spirit, refuses to tag along and drown in boring business conversations and taps into her talent as a polyglot to translate works of Swedish feminist Ellen Key.

'She says that once love leaves a marriage, then the marriage isn't sacred anymore. But if a true, great love happens outside of a marriage, it's sacred and has its own rights. She says each fresh couple must must prove that their love enhances their lives and the human race by living together.' Frank was slicing the bread. 'You mean we're doing this for the human race?'

Mamah, a mother of two children, was in constant conflict with her decision to leave her children behind. There were moments of reprieve and she clung to them "for the greater good".

In approaching Paris by train to meet up with Frank and surveying the damage by a torrential flood, Ellen realizes her worries are minimal compared to the miseries of the desperate Parisians.

Alarm rippled through the train as passengers moved about to get better views. But the calm that had possessed Mamay in Nancy persisted...She felt clarity, even more than before, as if she were viewing everything, even herself, from a distance. How small we human are. All our srambling around, trying to buttress ourselves against death. All our efforts to insulate ourselves against uncertainty with codes of behavior.

How ridiculous it all seemed, when life itself was so short, so precious. To live dishonestly seemed a cowardly way to use up one's time. For all the troubles life had meted out to her, she thought, it had given her more extraordinary gifts, Martha and John were that [her children]. And then, quite by chance, and in the wrong order, life had bestowed on her another kind of love that was both erotic and nourishing. To embrace Frank, to accept the gift, seemed to be an affirmation of life.

How to reconcile the deepest loves of her soul? She tried to imagine a time in the future when she would explain to her children this understanding. They would have to be adults to comprehend it. But she believed they would see that her choice to leave their father was not meant as a cruel self-indulgence geared to make them unhappy. Rather, it was an act of love for life.

Do you think Mamah was selfish or courageous in her quest for expression of self, and true happiness in the long run? Share your comments below!