This is It

I spent two hours watching a creative genius at work today.

Michael Jackson was an enigma in life. He was never fully understood. Never fully appreciated.

The allegations of child abuse? Ya know....I don't know. If I am as much a proponent of the US criminal justice system as I proclaim I have to come to the conclusion that he was not guilty of those charges brought against him. Do I think he wasn't a bizarre individual with bizarre habits? I think his personal life was bizarre. Would I allow myself to be compromised in such situations? No. I will not cast judgement now. that is between him and his God.

I think there are few people who have seen Michael Jackson work. They have only seen the results of that work. He was a true talent. A genius in his field really. I have always enjoyed his music. From the time I was a young girl I listened to his albums over and over again. I used to know Thriller by heart. I probably still would if I ever sat and listened to it long enough. When he died this summer I was devastated beyond any measure I thought I would have been. I did not idolize him per se but he revered him and his talent. He was such a hard worker, such a perfectionist. I think if more of us strive for that in our own crafts and/or lives the world would be a brighter place.

The film also shed some light on his relationship with his father, or should I say the lack thereof. It was a brief moment but in rehearsals for the song "I'll be there" where he acknowledges love for this brothers and his mother. Joe Jackson was noticeably absent. I do not blame Michael in the least. I just hope fathers, (and mothers for that matter) all over the world learn how being overbearing on your own children can come back to bite you. I think it has bitten Joe Jackson in a big way, though I think he is probably too clueless to realize it.

I wrote shortly after his death that I was quickly losing all my childhood idols. While those have been replaced by others in my field that I respect there will never be replacements for Lucille Ball, Sammy Davis Jr, Gregory Hines and now, Michael Jackson.

Thank you for sharing your gift with me. Rest in Peace.