Missing Michael Jackson, Again and Always

My typist finally had to turn off the TV; she just couldn't take one more word of speculation about the fate of Michael Jackson's money, his children, or his final resting place. She did laugh herself to tears watching Jamie Foxx be a brilliant, MJ-loving fool on the BET Awards, and now, reading, finally sitting down to read Greg Tate's excellent article in the Village Voice on why we are missing Michael so much, and The Jackson Five on replay, she's really about to cry. It's finally sunk in--The Gloved One is gone, he's joined the Celestial Choir with his own idols, jamming up in heaven with James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke--that our childhoods are truly over...I suppose that the television will have to be turned on again tomorrow to share in the memorial tribute at the Staples Center and the media hype will ratchet up another level, but as my typist and I listen again to the brothers' youthful harmonies and sweet love songs, she remembers the daily crushes on each of the boys in turn and the playful arguments with childhood girlfriends about who was going to marry whom when they grew up, and the absolutely pure joy of seeing them dance and sing together at every variety show appearance, looking so happy and so perfect! Well, she's singing along again to The Love You Save; we won't be able to get the song out of our heads for the rest of the month, at least. And seeing Michael's glowing smile and smooth moves in those early videos for Rock with You and Don't Stop Until You Get Enough reminded her of those first crushes on real boys, practicing dance steps in the driveway with his voice soaring from friends' boom boxes, and joining Janet on backup, wishing that she was old enough to go to his concerts, and finally being allowed to that year Thriller won all those Grammys. He truly will be permanently on the soundtrack of her life, marking so many important moments, including this one, this time of mourning, memories, tributes and celebration of all the things Michael Jackson represents for all of us. (It will be a miracle if she is able to write about Second Life this week!)