In Memory of Michael

[Lydell Jackson]

I am five years older than Michael. We were both born in the month of August. His last name is Jackson and My last name is Jackson. That's really not where the similarities end, anyway... When he came on the seen as a child star I saw him as my famous little brother even though we were not blood relatives. He was an inspiration to my generation and several generations to come.

It's hard to believe that the people in his life didn't do more to guide and direct him on a path that would have given him the peace that he deserved for his contribution to the human spirit of the world. I am extremely happy to have had his presence in my life through his fantastic artistry.

Despite his celebrity, what I remember most about Michael (besides his talent), is his quiet and humble spirit. Some unfairly criticized his childlike demeanor, however, the trusting childlike spirit of innocence is what is missing in most of us today. It is only ironic that this same quality is what probably lead to such dramatic and traumatic events in his later years.

My heart is a conglomeration of feelings for Michael's life and his sudden death. While I know that he was extremely successful as an entertainer, I can't help but feel that the rest of his life was far from satisfying for such a man of innocence. It's really uncommon to pair the word "Man" and "Innocence". But I really believe that Michael was indeed a "Man of Innocence" who with childlike love cared about not only the people close to him but humanity at large.

If we only focus on his celebrity, I believe we have missed an opportunity to learn from him the values of friendship, family, humility, passion, dedication and most of all the need for real LOVE shared by us all as humans. Michael searched for LOVING ACCEPTANCE from the world most of his life. The people closest to him and many of his fans (in my opinion) failed him greatly because he should have been truly LOVED off stage as well as on stage. It is sad that celebrity can and often does trump humanity. He was obviously not loved unconditionally! He seemed to get the attention and LOVE only for his celebrity. He was so much more than "The King of Pop". In fact what he has helped me to see is...WE ARE ALL SO MUCH MORE! As we live in this world, we all should be accepted with all our differences and LOVED because as humans "WE ARE THE WORLD."

Rest In Peace my Wonderful Brother Michael. May your spirit of innocence and LOVE be imitated by the cynical society in which the rest of us must go on living.

Your Beautiful "Legacy" lives forever...

Lydell

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