Michael Jackson

When I read the headline today it brought tears to my eyes. Michael Jackson is dead. Yep, people do die. It shouldn't be terribly surprising - and yet, there is something about this news that struck a chord.

I am a child of the 80's. One of, if not THE first album (that's right, record album) that I ever owned was Thriller. I believe that his music was my introduction to the love of music. When I was about five or six years old, my cousin Lisa and I dressed up in shredded white t-shirts that we pilfered from my grandfather and danced in my grandparents' garage in front of homemade grave stones to Thriller. That remains one of my most seminal memories from childhood - partly because it was so much fun to hang out and learn from my older cousin, partly because the family took a few photos and in large part because Michael Jackson sparked my deep love of music.

He had his problems and was surrounded by controversy, but he was also so amazingly talented and kind. It is strange when major figures from your childhood pass away - it calls for a moment of introspection and raises questions. Am I old? Who will be next? I think we define our world by certain iconic figures. What does a world look like without Michael Jackson? Yes, that sounds dramatic and sensationalized, but really...what will it be like without him?

Thank you Michael Jackson for the music, the dancing, the joy and the inspiration. I hope you are now in a better place.