Simone blog: My Thoughts on Michael Jackson

I began to Tweet about the heartbreaking news on Michael Jackson and realized (considering I kept typing too many characters) I simply needed to stop half stepping and write without worrying about being edited.

Yesterday as I walked around Aventura Mall in Aventura Florida I heard someone yell out "Michael Jackson's dead". I didn't pay it any mind, wondering if that person was trying to be funny as some folk are wont to do. I love Godiva's dark chocolate almond bark, and as I treated myself to one the attendant behind the counter echoed what I'd just heard. My jaw dropped!!!!!
I asked the attendant to repeat himself and give me details, for surely there was some error. As my daughter and I walked to our car I asked people I saw in the parking lot and they confirmed it. I turned on the radio as we drove home and they were playing nothing but his music as they commented on what I refused to believe. As we continued to drive on 95 we saw an exit sign for Jackson Memorial Hospital and we both commented at the same time; ReAnna asked if the sign had just been placed there.......I replied "no, we're just noticing it for the first time".

I awoke this morning in tears..... spoke to a sister girlfriend, and she shared she too had cried herself to sleep. I have not watched the news as yet because I'm sure it's everywhere and will be in the days and possibly weeks to come. I can't.
What is happening?????????????????????? It seems our GREAT ones are crossing over at an alarming rate.

I remember listening to I WANT YOU BACK as an 8 year old, dancing around the kitchen, seeing the Jackson 5 on Soul Train, Sonny and Cher, Flip Wilson's show just to name a few. Their family variety show (which rivaled The Osmonds) was great.... little Janet did her Mae West impression with gusto to Randy's sidekick. And, their cartoon with the two mice as Michael's little friends and their dance moves that stayed the same no matter the song.

Let's not forget when he broke out at Motown 25, I was stationed in Frankfurt Germany at the time, and blew everybody's mind with Billie Jean!!!!!!

Everybody else's performance paled in comparison. Everything he touched and put his voice to was golden whether it was a radio hit or not. It was Michael: Innovator, Pioneer, Trend Setter, Son, Brother, Father, King of Pop and a soul who was way ahead of his time. Because of that he was too often misunderstood, judged, villified and condemned.......now that he's dead his memory will be upheld in the same way my mother's has been.

GOD REST HIS SOUL, EASE THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF HIS LOVED ONES, AND MAY WE ALL REMEMBER AND HONOR HIM THE WAY HE DESERVES.