It's been 12 days, almost to the first minute that I heard. I knew that instant; I didn't need Charlie Gibson to tell me or whoever it was that finally announced the news, confirmed what my heart already knew, that Peter Pan had died. It's been 12 days that the world has been a little darker place; twelve days since they told us that never again would we see his gentle smiling face. Twelve days I've been trying to understand how a fairy tale dies, how an unmistakable spark of magic is just ... gone. Twelve days I didn't grieve; I rejoiced. I was so happy for Michael, finally a way out; finally peace. Finally wrapped up in a love that didn't judge, love doesn't judge love as strange, as odd or perverted. So happy for Michael. Oh sadness, sadness for Paris and for Prince and for Blanket, sadness for Catherine and Janet and Jermaine, but joy for Michael.
In that first moment, I thought he's finally free; they/we won't hurt him anymore; they/we won't ridicule him anymore. With wide eyed wonder he can sing and dance and embrace love, and no one will question his motives. So happy for Michael. Twelve days and today, inside of a bronze and gold box is a present from and again for heaven. I finally cried, not for Michael or his family, not even for those beautiful babies, not even for all of you. For 12 days, 12 days later I finally cried for me. I don't understand what it means when a fairy tale dies.
Peter Pan must we get old? Must we forget to notice the beauty of a flower, the magic of a butterfly? Peter Pan is this world destined to be a place where a child loved is a child molested? Peter Pan? With you here... with you here we were the world. You gave us not just the unction but the courage to look in the mirror. Peter Pan, oh Peter Pan. Will Tinkerbelle cease to fly? Peter Pan won't you please, please tell me what happens when a fairy tale dies?
It was our intention to publish Tuesday, but I couldn't. Talk of stamps and Ranch Records, tickets to the memorial service listed on Ebay and hustlers hawking everything, bootleg Billie Jean and cheap sequined gloves, and I just couldn't. I didn't want, didn't want Not Ur Momma's News to be part of the opportunistic onslaught. We want to share our memories and thoughts with you, but we took a step back and waited until today out of respect for a moment that was not ours. And out of respect for Michael, who always will be ours. Though your stay was far too short, we thank you for blessing us with your talent and your innocence. We love you Peter Pan.
Great article! I made my peace long before Michael left this life. I studied legends and almost all of them are misunderstood until their time expires here on earth, then we rush to try to analyze the person, when we were caught up in the personality.
Today and the rest to follow should be a catalyst for us to work on being the best messenger we can be, for whatever cause we represent. To add, "people always start out listening to the MESSage, but as the MESSage gets bigger and broader, the MESSenger grows in popularity and people start focusing more on the MESS of the MESSenger and not the true essence of the MESSage" Let us always remember the message and pray for the messenger. We love you Bro. Michael!
Saturday, July 11th 2009 at 2:38AM
Cecil Collier
Beautiful article. My heart goes out to Michael's family. It so sad how we are treated when we are alive. In death everyone wants to say what a great person we were. I pray that through his death that it will wake people up, maybe they will stop ridiculing people when they don't fit into what society calls normal. If we were all the same this would be a boring place. We all have a God given purpose on this earth. We need to allow people to be themselves and embrace them for who they are. Michael is in a better place and I pray that those who ridiculed him will turn and look at themselves and stop judging those that are different. God Bless
Saturday, July 11th 2009 at 1:45PM
Sheree Carradine
I too hope the drama surrounding his death will be a catalyst for us to take a good long look in the mirror and ...
Saturday, July 11th 2009 at 2:56PM
Michelle Diane
Thank you Michelle, I love the take on this article. A fairy tale, Peter Pan. I understand the intense moments of it all. I too couldn't believe what I was hearing while sitting at the computer and on the phone. The sudden words Michael Jackson had a heart attack and they are taking him to the hospital caused me to quickly check the news on the web, when moments later, a message from the Los Angeles Times scrolled across the screen . I was like, wait, I didn't hear or see that correctly, what?? I couldn't finish my conversation I was in such shock.
We take life for granted and we take the gifts and talents that God has granted us and others for granted. Tomorrow-- we look to tomorrow, but tomorrow is not promised to us either. This is a day to day, moment by moment walk. I concur that Michael Jackson was the greatest talent ever. He had great charisma and style. He definitely lived in his calling. His mystique intrigued us. His physical life on earth is over he will be remembered now and throughout history. Yet, we are still seeking Michael Jackson, but more in the manner of what he really represented and gave unselfishly to us. Michael was our household name family member. His entire family is in my prayers because they’re hearts are grieving, and that’s not something that you get over, overnight. The challenges that they are up against in this world of control and conquer are heavy. I pray God gives them strength to endure and surrounds them with honest people who are interested their family welfare and the legacy that Michael has left. I pray the media will let Michael rest in peace for the real truth can only be told by God.
My moments of closure came when I read the official obituary with memorable consolations written by family members and friends. Their words were warm, memorable and loving. MJ's loved his fans and family who will always remember him as uncle, cousin, friend, brother, son, daddy -- Family. Thank you for sharing your heart Michelle and the fairy tale is over for Peter Pan, but his legacy will live on. And in the death of Peter Pan there is great meaning that challenges us to accomplish and achieve our deepest dreams, to honor the purpose by which we are called, because we are still here on earth, an opportunity that we need not take for granted. Bless God as he Blesses us to achieve our purpose to the highest degree. Blessings to you.
Thursday, July 16th 2009 at 4:35PM
Juanita Parker
Wonderful article!! My heart was very sadden with the news of the death of Michael, but I too am happy and relieved for him. He can finally rest in peace. Whatever pain, physically and/or otherwise, that he was trying to endure all these years, he is finally free of it. The media and public was like a cancer that would never go away. He could never be cured of them. My heart goes out to his children and his family because if we as fans feel the lost of this great man, then imagine the lost that they feel.
