Goodbye Michael…
He touched us all in a unique manner. For me growing up as a child, I knew the Michael Jackson who made the album, “BAD” and who followed with “Dangerous.” Even before I can consciously fathom who he was, I knew the lyrics to his songs. Before I could say his name, I could hum his tune. He entered my heart and impacted me more than anyone else I know.
My cousin Bryan would come over to my house and in those days, you had a turntable. We played Michael Jackson albums on the surround sound system throughout the afternoons and evenings attempting to do the moonwalk and trying to dance like the one we idolized.
The one impression that Michael Jackson left on me that probably not a lot of my friends or family know, was the purpose to do something about mankind. The very first time I saw the video Man in the Mirror, I broke down in tears. I was just about 5 years old and I remember telling my mom, I was going to put an end to suffering and war. It pained me so much to see all of the fighting and destruction that was portrayed in the video. Nevertheless, his video did change my life. I have done as much as I can to educate and bring about a better world through humanitarian campaigns and endeavors. I have seen things change. I have seen wars end. My family has been apart of efforts to rebuild and make changes.
I just want to thank Michael for that because although he doesn’t know it, he set me up for an adventure for a lifetime. I am convinced that although the road isn’t easy, although it isn’t the most popular road to take, someone needs to take it.
I took a look in the mirror and I still see that more needs to be done, but I won’t let his inspiration die in what I have done, I will let it live in what I plan to do.
I hope that this man has made such an impact in your lives as he has in mine.
