Like millions of people around the world, my heart has been aching this week. Michael Jackson, a musical genius and troubled soul, touched so many of us in life and, now, in death. The collective global grief is palpable; just go to YouTube, search for one of his songs, and read some of the comments from admirers like this one, from a child named "Dancing4lifeDiva":
"MJ ur the reason why i started dancin and singin when i first saw his video i wuz 3 and ever since then i been dancing.He wuz and still iz my idol my ro-model and inspiration he iz very special 2 everyone and im only 12 yrs old when i heard he died I fell to the floor and just cried 4 3 hrs i wuz soo heart broken."
Michael Jackson and I were born the same year, 1958, and while I was writing book reports, he was rocking the stage with the Jackson 5. Although I loved that group, Michael's music is entwined in my memories of college and beyond. I'll never forget blasting the "Off the Wall" album (yes, those vinyl discs) in our apartment senior year or partying to "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" -– one of the best-ever dance tunes. I regret that I never saw this incredible performer in concert.
Goodbye, Michael Jackson; I hope death has finally brought you peace.
Consider this . . .
How Michael could move.
How Michael inspired others to dance, including hundreds of orange-clad inmates in the Philippines who re-enacted "Thriller."
How Michael helped bring together an impressive group of artists to sing "We Are the World" to support Africa relief.
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