Think this question will become just as famous as the Kennedy or Princess Diana question? I know I feel just as shocked and saddened by the news of Michael Jackson's death as I did when I learned about Princess Diana. No matter what anyone says about the man personally, he was an amazing entertainer.
So where was I? I was sitting in bed feeling sorry for myself over a virus that's been kicking my a$$ since Sunday night. I was already starting to count my blessings again when I heard about Farrah Fawcett's passing. Then when news hit about Michael Jackson, I remembered that annoying fevers/coughs/aches, etc. are not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.
I think the reason these stories hit us so hard is because they remind us of our own mortality. If someone like Michael Jackson, who was larger than life, can be taken in his prime, then it can certainly happen to any one of us.
Tonight, I'll be giving my family virtual hugs and kisses (because no one is coming within five feet of me for fear of catching this virus) and reminding myself to spend each moment on this earth as if it were my last.
If you've known me for awhile, you know it was my uncle who instilled that in me. As he was battling cancer (which ultimately took him, my hero, from this earth), his favorite song was "Live Like You Were Dying," which I've published here many times.
But I think tonight calls for another reposting. Here you go:
Posts
11 left a Blogger comment:
That song hits home with all of us I think....and I totally agree with you on your thoughts on Michael Jackson....and I feel so bad for Farrah as well. May they both RIP. Did you watch Farrah's documentary? It was so emotional and raw.
I agree with you -- I think it hits us for exactly that reason. I hope you feel better -- and I'm sad about everyone who died today. I wish I couldn't make that so plural.
I was roaming the flat with insomnia at 3am when I saw a text sent by my friend. You're right its a reality check that makes us forget the petty things and focus on the positive things.
We were watching Oprah when the news broke in and said he had died. I swear it took my breath away for a couple of seconds. Michael Jackson dead? I still don't want to believe it. I have so many memories of him and his music. Heck, I used to beg my mom to marry him!!
I agree.
Makes me sad. He was a complete freak, but a musical genius. And Farrah - who didn't love Farrah and play Charlie's Angels when they were a kid?!
Sad day.
My fiancee is already hearing, "Aren't you dead?" That's the problem with having the same name as a celebrity.
I was at work. Sad over Farrah and then in shock over Michael. Farrah was a very corragious and inspiring women and so brave. Farrah and Michael were icons for me from the 70's. I am so torn over Michael. I feel sad over him and his tormented life and then just dont what to think because of the last few years. It makes it hard.
I felt sorry for Farrah. Her death got hidden by the Jackson saga.
She fought to live.. I'm not sure what his fight was.
I wasn't shocked about Michael. I probably wouldn't remember where I was except that I was taking my 13 year old grandson to the airport and someone called us on cellphone -- and we'd locked ourselves out of the car. whoooh.
Yes, we're all getting closer to That Day, but it does remind us of how fragile life is when people cross over without having the good fortune of having had longevity in their life. I saw the initial news report in the early afternoon that MJ had had a heart attack and I was a bit surprised but thought, eh, it's probably much ado about nothing. It wasn't til later that night I turned on the news and learned of his passing. It IS sad. And I thought it was also sad that Michael's death so OVERWHELMINGLY eclipsed Farrah's. Everything I saw was MJ, MJ, MJ, MJ, MJ, MJ, MJ, MJ, MJ, and oh, btw, Farrah died today too.
~BB- I did and it made me cry so hard! Just amazing and so poignant. I admire her courage in making that and think it's wonderful that she has left that as part of her legacy.
~Elizabeth- I'm with you. So many deaths all of a sudden. :(
~LCN- Exactly. We all need a reminder once in awhile. It's sad it takes such drastic circumstances to give us that little nudge, you know?
~Season- LOL! That is so adorable! I'm with you..I heard my daughter telling my husband the news when she came in the door and the only words I heard were "Jackson" and "died." I thought to myself, "She can't mean Michael Jackson. There's no way he could be dead." Just stunned.
I have such fond memories of his music too and the night I wrote this post, that's what I wanted to focus on and remember and put the (really horrendous) personal faults aside for just that moment.
~Anon- Thanks!
~Sybil- My thoughts exactly! And yeah, I loved playing Charlie's Angels and I always wanted to be Farrah. :)
~HW- His name is Michael Jackson?! Wow, that would kind of suck, lol.
~Letera- That's exactly how I feel. You want to celebrate and remember all the fun you had as a kid listening to his music, but then it's all tarnished by how messed up he was personally. :(
~Pamela- Yeah, it was definitely bad timing. I wish we'd had more time to mourn and remember Farrah before this happened. I'm guilty of taking part in it, though, since I focused more on him in my post, but there was way more shock involved with his death, for me at least. I will always remember Farrah's courage and her fight to live, though.
Sorry you got locked out of the car! That's definitely memorable, lol!
~John- Yep...and I realized I did the same with my post and now feel bad about that. Like I said to Pamela, I guess it was the shock of it, because my heart certainly hurt just as much, and probably more, for Farrah.
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