To The "Man In The Mirror"

I just arrived from training today when my husband told me the news... Michael Jackson is dead...I gasped in disbelief, trying to comprehend what he said. But then he asked me, why was my reaction so exaggerated?

Let me clarify that part. I was shocked, and my exaggerated reaction was sincere. But Why was my reaction "exaggerated" anyway? He's not a relative, but somehow, all my life, I cannot think of my 33 years without the existence of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop.

Yes, he became infamous for a lot of weird things he had done. But that was always my thing with Mr. Jackson. I could separate his personal life from his professional life. Not that I supported him or defended him, but it was something I could totally ignore, from one end of the pole, here is a "whacko", they say, but the other end, here is truly gifted artist, who touched so many lives and made special memories with his music, who could blow you away with his moonwalk dance and his graceful yet sharp moves, who serenaded us with songs like "I Just Can't Stop Loving You", and of course, "Man In the Mirror", to name a few.

Which makes me feel remorseful in many ways. One, why the heck didn't I watch his concert here when he came to the Philippines?! I had no money back then, I should have borrowed from my sister or something. Stupid me...
Another, his last days on earth were all about bankruptcy, etc. yes, these are things that need to be known, but during his last days here, I did not read any article (not that I was following his life), about anybody honoring him as someone who shared his talent, and yes, made this world a better place (in one way or another).

Makes me realize we are not perfect. That even if we inevitably do bad things, we still have redeeming qualities, talents, etc. I just hope that in this cynical world, we get to show our appreciation for people before it's too late.

To you, Mr. Jackson, with "exaggerated" tears in my eyes, I choose to thank you. Rest in peace...