Guess the "emo season" just HAD to roll around when Michael Jackson's memorial service came to town. I found myself waiting for 1 a.m. to arrive, and had time to surf 3 different channels before settling on one to watch the entire service from. (CNN won.)
I was dry-eyed when I saw with my own eyes the casket bearing the body, draped in red roses. Any pretense of his being alive, or more like, "re-lived", flew out the window when you realize that he really was gone. I was calm.
Until the camera panned across to the other Jackson brothers and I caught a glimpse of the single sequined glove they each wore, in his honour.
Then Jermaine sang "Smile" while fighting back his tears.
And if that wasn't enough, Usher did a totally heartfelt, gut-wrenching rendition of "Gone Too Soon" while walking to the casket, and in doing so, struggled to finish the song... one so aptly, hauntingly, written for a HIV-AIDS victim, and now sung for his own goodbye. I still cannot watch the performance without tears streaming down my face.
I didn't expect to cry during the memorial. To see the pain that his family and close friends were going through in this phase of separation, to know that he made the impact he did... it makes you weep at the loss of such a beautiful soul on this side of heaven.
And yet, the entire service also made me smile, it did. It made me beam because people recalled his fun-loving streak, and his love to make people laugh.
What struck me most was that everyone agreed, Michael Jackson truly gave his best. In everything: song, dance, community care. He gave his best.
Not just money, mind you, but more importantly his time with the poor, the needy. He used his position to take time to be with the policy-makers to help change the world. He started with the man in the mirror, and didn't stop there - he tried to get us all into it too, to care for one another, to love a fellow brother and sister.
Eulogizers hoped and prayed and believed that MJ would be in heaven. We pray too that God will have mercy on his soul.
I'm inspired by his life. Not only because he was a pioneer ahead of his time, a tireless entertainer, a fun-loving character. Not only because he was a great humanitarian, the Guinness record-holder for being the "pop star supporting the most number of charitable organizations."
I'm inspired by the simple fact that he simply did his best. You have fought the good fight, MJ. Rest in peace, and may you find eternal delight and joy in your Creator.
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