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While I generally don't go for such fanfare, I am glad that I was in a position to watch Michael Jackson's memorial today. I thought the tribute and farewell struck the right chord. It definitely struck a chord in me...
As the consummate entertainer, he rose above. There can be no denying that he had an impact the world over. I'm not one to idolise people. And yet, for me, as for so many, he is representative of part of my childhood. I don't know how I knew "Beat It" and "Bad" and "Thriller" (and the list goes on), but I did. Everyone did. It was cultural osmosis. I sang those songs. We all sang those songs. We all tried to do the moonwalk... As a human being, he rose above. There were trials and tribulations. Some that I can sympathise with; and others so exaggerated - to match his iconic status - who can begin to imagine how one deals... As a standard for ideals, he rose above. It is this aspect of the memorial that struck a personal note with me. I have been especially conflicted about my ideals in the past week or so, and the memorial was unexpectedly cathartic. I can't say that I have come to any definite conclusions. (Are there any definite conclusions? I don't know. I may never know.) Even so, I must rise above. Beyond doubts, rise above. Beyond reasons, rise above. Always...
•••
This turned out to be much longer than I expected. But then, Michael Jackson's death has saddened much more than I expected. May we all find the strength to rise above.
