I know there’s been overwhelming coverage here, there, and everywhere else. But today, a legend will be put to rest. And from the comments I keep getting every day, I know I’m not the only one who’ll be feeling the loss. So here — leave your comments, express your sadness, share with me.
And if you’d like to read my previous Michael Jackson posts — here are links.
I’ve tried explaining to those who weren’t fans and who don’t understand why it makes me so sad. It’s difficult to put into words, but the song above helps a little. We had Got To Be There on 8-track when I was a young’un. Hearing those soaring vocals takes me back to a much more innocent time, and Michael’s music does that for so many of us. It’s hard to accept that he’s gone.
I’m hoping these tears will dry on their own, and soon. But it probably won’t be today.
I thought that I was the only one that was feeling the sadness today. I listened to the “Bad” cd on the way in to work this morning and unexpectedly started crying when “Man in the Mirror ” came on. We will no longer see the magic of Michael Jackson. A true talent of epic proportions has left this earth and for that I am truly sad. RIP Michael Jackson
Over the weekend, I was compulsively looking up MJ and Jacksons videos on YouTube. Although the loss has sunk in, the strangeness of referring to this man in the past tense has not gone away. If you go on Youtube, do a search for ‘Michael Jackson Private Home Movies”. This was a not-widely seen special narrated by MJ showing him with friends and family in private moments. I teared up at Liz Taylor giving him his first Christmas in 1993. I laughed as he & janet had a Super Soaker fight on the grounds of Neverland and when he and Bret Ratner are in a car grooving to the remix of “Ignition” by R. Kelly. I wish this special could be seen again instead of endless shots of MJ in a bodybag, going to court in pajamas, or a minute and a half of last concert rehearsal footage. May he rest in peace.
Such a sad day. I’ve been crying for the last few days. It’s definitely hard to explain when you didn’t actually know the person. But grief is grief just the same, and I’ve accepted that. I pray you are at peace Michael.
I’m still in slight denial. Michael has been in my entertainment life, all of my life. I’m 37 and i dont have one music memory that doesn’t inclued MJ. I went to one of his concerts, had the posters on the wall in my room and lost my mind when he performed on any awards show…LOL…I’m not happy with the coverage done by the “main stream” media outlets. I don’t agree with bringing up the negative past in an overwhelming manner, so much so that it’s like they are trying to overshadow Michaels genius musical talent and accomplishments. But for the true fan this isn’t going to work and WE will always Remember and Love our Icon…Michael Jackson!!!!..RIP
Because it’s been so hard to put into words over the past few days…the enormity of what this man’s contribution to music/lives really was…I’m choosing just to let things be. I can’t explain anymore why I’m sad in the mornings…and try to push back tears whenever I hear one of his emotion filled songs…I’ve been reluctant to share these feelings with any close friends because sadly…there’s also scrutiny on those who choose to openly grieve for him. I’m not placing my grief in a box, because it’ll just be too much to bear…but instead I think it’s more suitable to celebrate his life/prepare for his timeless legacy…pray for his Family/close friends and take comfort in the undoubtable fact that this man was so very much loved.
There was a jazz funeral for MJ in new Orleans. Essence was filled with people who seemed to understand what was lost. I don’t think Michael was a saint, but I do think he was a person that had a huge impact in my life. A person who’s album I would buy reviews unread liking only one released track trusting that I would love the whole thing anyway. I loved what I knew of Michael and that’s why I grieve. I’ll miss him, even though I never relly knew him.
I’ve been living in a world of denial too. I’ve been going back and forth on whether I want to see it or not, but I know watching it will make me start that whole closure process. I’m just not sure if I want to. I remember writing the other day about how people (namely, mainstream media) made him out to be all of these horrible things, and talked about him as if he were some mythical creature, like Bigfoot.
He was human. He had feelings. He actually had problems just like the rest of us, and money, fans, and celebrity status couldn’t just magically solve. I really hope he’s found that peace with our Father– the peace he never seemed to find on Earth.
Another great post – I’ve been trying to keep up with all of the coverage and I have yet to get tired of it. R.I.P. Mike
The memorial service was well done and had me in tears all the way through. I really lost it when Marlon spoke and when Michael’s daughter spoke. We were blessed to witness his talent and, hopefully, some lessons can be gleaned from both the good times and bad times in his life. Peace be with his family at this difficult time.
I didn’t get to see the memorial live,but on my movements throughout my little rock that is Barbados many people were glued to their television sets watching the coverage. I am now getting to see the replays on CNN, and keeping my eyes dry is very hard to do!
I just saw the memorial service and it was excellent. The Jackson family really pulled together a tasteful, moving tribute that really humanized him in a way that needed to be done. I teared up a few times.
R.I.P. Michael
Michael Jackson also symbolizes the innocence of my childhood too. I recently read an article in TIMES magazine about Michael Jackson. All of his songs remind me of my childhood self riding in my uncle’s red jeep and blasting MJ’s cassette tape.
My favorite song was always I’ll Be There because Free Willy was my all time childhood movie 🙂
I cried throught the whole service today. It was so moving and dignified and respectful all at the same time. I just can’t let go of him. Everytime I hear a song or see a video I just burst into tears. I never met him but he has touched me so. His music will live on forever and that brings me some comfort. Michael you are and will forever be a shining star. You now have the peace that you were so robbed of on this earth and you are smiling. I MISS YOU SO MUCH.
The ceremony was so beautiful. I cried pretty much the whole time. My favorite part was the end where everyone sang “We Are The World” and “Heal The World.” I watched it on the big screen in Harlem and the whole crowd sang along. In that beautiful, spiritual moment, I truly felt Michael’s message of love and peace, and I know everyone else felt it too.
Michael I’ll love and miss you forever.
Girl, anytime you need to have an MJ moment – bring it on.
Al Sharpton’s speech – “There wasn’t? nothin’ strange about your daddy… it was strange what he had to deal with.” Preach it.
I think the service was beautiful, and fit for a king. I really couldn’t believe that he’s gone, but today I had to deal with it…it’s actually real. I can’t believe it. I still can’t believe it.
My fav parts were Jennifer Hudson singing I will be there, and the most touching part..when his daughter spoke about how good of a father he was
That was a beautiful homegoing service! Very well done. When Marlon and Paris spoke it brought me to tears. OMG my heart hurts for those children. It’s still hard to believe he is gone but as stated by Marlon, “Maybe now they will leave him alone”!
RIP MJ!
The service was beautiful. In addition to what has been already mentioned here, I wanted to add John Mayer’s acoustic guitar performance of Human Nature – one of my favourite songs. He let the melody speak for itself. And, at the end touchingly embraced/was embraced by Michael’s brothers.
I haven’t been able to see the Memorial as yet but plan to see if I can catch it tonight.
So much waste to have gone too soon but so much of a wonderful musical legacy he left behind. Michael, Rest in Peace and now join Heaven’s chorus.
I’ve been crying all day. I was supposed to marry Michael. He was my first love. I cried through the entire memorial. When Stevie sang, I cried. When Brooke spoke, I cried. When Jermaine sang “Smile”, I cried. When Usher sang and touched the casket, I cried. When Marlon asked Michael to give his twin brother Brandon a hug in Heaven for him, I cried. When Michael’s precious baby girl spoke to say how much she missed and loved her daddy, I completely lost it! I was thinking earlier that it was weird that this hurts so much, but after reading all the comments I’m thinking maybe its not so weird. It seems I’m in good company. RIP Michael!
Patrice, thank you so much for giving us a place to mourn and share our thoughts. I honestly thought I was going crazy this week because I seemed to be the only one who was so emotional over the whole thing. There are still moments (like right now) when I want to break down — and it doesn’t help when people respond with befuddlement and confusion, wondering why you’re sad.
Thank you again. Never did I think I could be so affected by the passing of someone I never met. But the truth is, Michael is an icon. Our icon. And now we know it’s possible to love someone from afar.
I can’t believe he’s gone. His music been with me since I was little. He was a magnetic singer who morphed into an exquisite dancer/entertainer. He was music, he was love, he was electricity. He touched my heart.
I can’t believe that people are nattacking the children now, saying that Paris was “coached” and “scripted”, and showing those kids’ pictures on TV a jillion times, speculating on their parentage.It’s like folks don’t realize that one day, those kids are going to Google stuff and have to be subjected to further trauma in their lives. No wonder Michael protected those kids from the public–he saw what they could do. Now that he’s not around, he cant protect them, and the feeding frenzy has started. These are very young kids who have lost the only father they have known. I would hope that people would have decency, but I guess I think too highly of folks…
I came to Afrobella because I knew there would be positive comments about MJ. I decided not to visit others because I didn’t want to read the negative comments. I thought I was going to marry MJ as well. I don’t know if any of you remember the Right On! magazine that feathered the Jackson5 and other articles that were relative to Black America. I made sure I had a subscription to it just to read about Michael. I made sure every Saturday morning that I was up to watch the Jackson 5 cartoon even if I was at my cousin’s house. MJ will be remembered forever in our hearts and one day the pain of losing him will begin to hurt a little less. It will take all of us time!Thanks for sharing Bellas!
@ Niki – I searched youtube for the videos you mentioned.
Loved them!
Thank you for sharing.
Gone but NEVER forgotten. The service yesterday was perfect! I had so hoped they would do him right and have a dignified service. They exceeded all of my expectations. That was so much better than that BET crap.
He would have been so proud of his daughter for being so brave and speaking to all those people about her love for her dad.
WE LOVE YOU MICHAEL!! May you forever rest in PEACE!
good ol’ MJ, RIP
R.I.P Michael
Afrobella, your site has been a stand-out during this whole ordeal and I’ve just loved all your your posts on him, just as I will love MJ forever.
No explanations or apologies needed for me. Anyone that doesn’t “get it”, well that’s becuse they weren’t supposed to. Only a spirit could touch people with just a smile the way he did. I can’t think of anyone else in history that brought the world to a pause all at once. He gave all he had for 45 years, we must never let his memory die.
Thanks afrobella for having a positive place for MJ’s fans. I stopped looking at pictures and articles online. They just want to attack his legacy and his kids. I don’t feel bad about grieving for him either. I had a meeting Tuesday with my boss and I just wasn’t mentally there. I was thinking about Mj, wishing I was at home watching the service. Day by day it sinks in that he is gone. I am at peace knowing that it was a part of Gods plan for him. Which means MJ is doing great!
God bless his kids and family.
I cannot even put into words how I feel since Michael left this world….Still cannot grasp hte feeling …he is gone but will not be forgotton any time soon….gone way to soon…I love you Micheal Jackson…RIP….The media can’t get you now Sweetie…. and their lies…
It’s been over three weeks and I still say to myself, that I can’t believe he’s gone. I’m just a fan.
He is my childhood icon, he was and is bigger than life.
I was about 5 or 6 when I “fell in love” with MJ and his music.
I remember having a small portable tape player and Id take it to my backyard and swinging on my swingset.
I’d even take it w/me to bed and fall asleep listening to it.
“Off The Wall” and “Thriller” were my entire childhood. I remember rocking w/Rock with You, PYT, OTW, Human Nature, well ALL of the songs.
I remember begging my mom for the glove and the jacket to put them on layaway and she did even though she KNEW Id never wear them, because I was much too shy.
My father to me to the Jackson Victory Tour, my very first concert! We had the cheap seats but it didnt matter, I was SO excited to be there, my dad was the hero for sure.
It really was puppy love, I have continued to love music, dance and anything and everything creative since.
After about 8 yo my life was pretty much a living hell, but when I look back at that time w/MJ’s music it makes me smile and cry all at the same time.
I just keep thinking WHY, it’s so NOT fair!
I know he was in so much pain, he tried to hide behind the physical pain but it was so much more than that.
I really can not even begin to imagine what he went through.
As much as I love his music it’s hard to listen w/o crying.
If I had to choose, which is really hard, but really Id choose human nature, something about the lyrics and nuances in his voice, and symbolism and it’s just amazing.
He reached everyone regardless of color, culture, religion, his spirit has no bounds.
I found your page by searching
“I still can’t believe he’s gone” because I can’t
MJ we miss you
forever and always
I am 52. I am a music educator. I still cry no less than once a day for Michael, not only for the loss of his amazing talent and the fact we’ll never see his comeback, but for the wonderful memories he left me of my youth and young adulthood. And for the personal story of his life and the belief that he was treated so poorly by so many JUST because he was himself and didn’t apologize for honoring himself and his honesty. A sweet spirit whom I’d have loved to had one conversation with….a gorgeous man, sensitive caring person, loving father and gentle role model on loving humankind. He changed the world. And God knows he was sent to us for a reason.
Rest in peace Michael. I know I will still shed tears for you because you will always touch my heart whenever I hear of see you. Thank you for your gift of spirit and being a teacher of unconditional love.
Forever.
Just found this warm place where my feelings are felt and understood. Like the sister commenting way up there, I was supposed to marry him too (weren’t we all?) In five days it will be a month since we learned this news, and I am still hurting. He is so much a part of my life, from 1969 on.
Thank you.
Choi,
I just want to let you know that you’ve put into words,all my feelings and emotions since Michael passed away. I still can’t get over it and cry every tiem I hear I’ll be there or Man In The Mirror. And believe me, I’m not one to ‘mourn’ celebrities, the last time someone’s death affected me this much was Princess Diana. I just feel that their humanitarian deeds and endless love and compassion brought them much sadness and grief and this is utterly unfair. I also, like you, cannot openly grieve for this great soul because of the scrutiny and even ridicule from my friends and other people. I would love to just meet with a group to discuss Michael and his legacy instead of scrutiny.
R.I.P darling ): im only 13, and i cried all day when i found out, and i still cry when i here your name ): i love you babe (L)
xxx
Michael Jackson have lived-up to be the best pop artist of the history, i really admire his talent in singing and dancing ,,,