REMEMBER THE TIME

For all the controversy... for all the people that wanna be startin’ somethin’... for all the stories now plastered on TV...  this is what I wish to say to Michael...

As an 80’s high school graduate, my friends and I spent many moments with you... dancin’ on the beds, singing with our hairbrush microphones, seeing if there was any way we could even partially imitate that moondance.  The winter after graduation, we huddled around our newfound MTV (even though our parents thought we were studying for semester finals!), loving all 14 minutes of “Thriller.”  You entertained us often and much.  Thank you!

When fame surrounds a person, it seems to cast layers around the person’s potentially fragile heart.  Did we ever get a true picture of your heart, Michael?  Were you a lover, not a fighter?  Were you lonely?  What was true?  What was not?  Did you feel respected?

Since none of us truly were acquainted with your heart, let us simply repeat some of the wisdom of your words...

Don’t play the fool for the rest of your life

Work on it brother and you’ll make it

Someday go for what you want and don’t forget the faith

Look at yourself and what You doin’ right now

Stand back a minute just to check yourself out

Straighten out Your life and how you’re livin’ each day

Get yourself together cause you got to keep the Faith...  (“Keep the Faith”)

People always told me be careful of what you do

And don’t go around breaking young girls hearts

And mother always told me be careful of who you love

And be careful of what you do cause the lie becomes the truth...  (“Billie Jean”)

And the dream we were conceived in 

Will reveal a joyful face 

And the world we once believed in 

Will shine again in grace 

Then why do we keep strangling life 

Wound this earth, crucify its soul 

Though it's plain to see, this world is heavenly 

Be God's glow...  (“Heal the World”)

And one more, from “Gone Too Soon”...

Like The Loss Of Sunlight On A Cloudy Afternoon, Gone Too Soon;

Like A Castle Built Upon A Sandy Beach, Gone Too Soon;

Like A Perfect Flower That Is Just Beyond Your Reach, Gone Too Soon;

Born To Amuse, To Inspire, To Delight

Here One Day, Gone One Night;

Like A Sunset, Dying With The Rising Of The Moon

Gone Too Soon, Gone Too Soon...  

A tribute to Michael Jackson... We never know when death will come.  May each of us have peace with God now.

AR