Between 9 and 10:00 p.m EST last night, after jumping off Twitter (yes - Twitter’s “Trending Topics” is how I learned of Jackson’s death) and calling my best friend’s voicemail to sing a few verses of “Rock With You” and encourage her to get out of the fetal position and call me for support, I watched as Michael Jackson’s sheet-covered body was transported - live - out of the UCLA Medical Center, into a helicopter, and then out again and on to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.
It was surreal, and I am stunned.
Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson - Americans have certainly lost a hefty handful of icons this week.
When someone so famous succumbs to mortality, it tends to hit the nation - and the world - as a whole.
For some people, these icons acted as comfortable constants (John Mayor tweeted about Michael Jackson that “a major strand of our cultural DNA has left us” and “we’ll mourn his loss as well as the loss of ourselves as children listening to Thriller on the record player”). For others, they’ve played a significant role (DMB bassist Stefan Lessard remembered how his very first record was one from The Jackson 5, Wyclef Jean changed his Twitter picture to one of Jackson and tweeted about a time the King of Pop visited him in the studio, and Janet McNair wrote about Jackson’s music being the soundtrack of her childhood).
TremendousNews, via Tweeple Magazine, referred to Michael Jackson’s death as “the 9/11 of pop culture,” and that’s probably a pretty accurate description for a number of high profile celebrity deaths - especially those that were so sudden and unexpected.
We flock to our televisions. We watch as cameras zoom in on mourning fans standing outside of hospitals and holding up signs. We listen as the same news reporters who hiked up their ratings with scandals just a few years before now speak of the deceased as if by dying he was somehow transformed into a saint.
We hop on Twitter or Facebook or actually pick up a phone to connect with our friends:
“Did you hear?” “Can you believe it?” “R.I.P” “I never liked him.” “I had her poster on my bedroom wall as a kid.” “I was his biggest fan.”
“I am stunned.”
We talk about the icon’s life - the many things the icon contributed to the world and the inspiration the icon was, as well as the various scandals that surrounded the icon and the public and private battles the icon fought.
Sometimes thinking about a long and full life comforts us; other times, a tragic end to a life most often surrounded by tragic circumstances conflicts us.
And, then, we start thinking about our own lives - our own successes, failures, joys, and complete and utter screw ups. We begin reflecting on our own mortality and - for much too brief a time, unfortunately - some of us vow to cherish each day more, hug our family members more, call up an old friend we haven’t spoken to in a few years.
Death is sad. It’s sad, we’re probably really never prepared for it - no matter the circumstances - and it sucks. But, it happens to each and every one of us. We’re all going to lose loved ones and we’re all going to eventually die ourselves. It’s unavoidable.
Celebrity or not, no life or death is more “important” or “monumental” than another; whether you spend it redefining music as the world knows it or bagging groceries at Winn Dixie, human life is human life.
Appreciate it as such.
If any of this week’s famous deaths brought about those emotions and questions about your own life - and the lives of your loved ones - hold on to those. Have your moment of grief for whomever passed, but then turn the focus on yourself.
If there’s something you want to change about your life, change it now. If there’s a relationship you want to mend, mend it now. If there’s something you’ve done of which you should be proud, but for some reason never allow yourself that feeling, give yourself that credit now.
The good news is, as long as you’re breathing, you still have time; however, you have no idea if it’s years, days, or seconds.
Start now.
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From Psych Central's World of Psychology blog:
The Loss of 3 Entertainment Icons: Jackson, Fawcett, McMahon | World of Psychology (June 26, 2009)
Working On Me (June 27, 2009)
Coping with Anxiety: 10 Simple Ways to Relieve Anxiety, Fear & Worry (Paperback) | Anxiety Symptoms Treatment (July 2, 2009)
Stefan Lessard : News, pictures, videos, biography (July 25, 2009)
Although we have never known these people personally and did not really follow them avidly like their fans did, having grown up with them as the popular celebrities at the height of our youth, we cannot help but feel sad upon knowing that they have already passed away. As I was finalizing my order, I tried to just shrug my shoulders thinking, “That’s life.” But because they were popular during my carefree youth, I think the sadness comes from the fact that like them I too have grown old, and it won’t be long…Let’s just pray for their souls’ peace.
Michael,
You are forever loved. You gave this world the beauty of your talents and that can never be taken away, over shadowed, or forgotten. May God bless & keep your children, and your family. I will miss you not only now but forever.
My forever love,
Darlene
Three Icons taken from us, Unbelieveable.
Ed McMahon you will not be forgotten and my prayers are with your family.
Farrah, what can I say. I watched your recently released movie and I cried. Courage Lady you sure had it, gumption like none other, Love wow not only did/does the world love you but your love with Ryan and the great love of your son Redmond are awe inspiring. May they never lose those feelings of your deep love for them. And Farrah you were and always will be one classy lady. May I have just one iota of your courage,love, and class and I will consider myself very blessed. Redmond, I am a mother of a son about your age, I pray God will bless you with your mothers’ strength and never forget how much of her heart you own. I will pray for you always. As Ryan said in your mom’s story what a tribute you can give your mom by cleaning up your act. but know no matter what you have done YOU were and always will be the heart and soul of your moms. Ryan I am sorry for your loss of Farrah. To Farrah’s father be proud of who and what your daughter was/is. And you must be one tuff cookie to be able to give Farrah the strength she needed from you and still continue through life. I wish I had had a father like you. May God bless you all & keep you. You are all in my prayers.
Icon Michael Jackson!!!!!!!!!! I have been doing nothing but cry (so please forgive my typos). Your passing away has not only shocked and rocked the world but so very many of us who grew up with you. Listening to your singing, trying to copy your dance moves, I feel as if I have lost my brother. Not only has the world lost an ICON but your fans have lost a family member. I will pray for your children and your family. And while my heart is broken right now, I know time will heal that break. But I will forever love you and never forget you.
My prayers and love,
Darlene
I know things happen for a reason, but three in one week? Why not just aim a ray gun at Hollywood and take them all out instead of picking them off one at a time? Why God why?
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