Impact

I am not a fanatic and I don't own his paraphernalia but, I can define some moments of my life with his music. Michael Jackson will be buried today and the world media's eyes are on his memorial. I too am at home watching it with teary eyes.
His existence is unforgettable. I met his music at the early age in dance class during recital rehearsals to perform a 5-year-old version of "Thriller".
What a sight.
Twenty 5-year-olds in old lady dresses (as if we were the walking dead) carrying old lady purses, stomping in time toward the front of the stage during the crescendo. We were definitely not the only crew moved to perform because of the greatest hits by Michael Jackson.
Another memory comes back to me from when I was ten and I borrowed my mother's cassette tape to listen to MJ on my new Walkman. I bopped around and memorized every word to every song (whilst desperately trying to figure out what "Shamon" meant) then my appreciation and love for pop music was born.
In high school "Black or White" came out and the racial barriers were challenged for the youth as they were. Was it necessary to perpetuate the hate when the stars of our generation were mixtures of all races? Certainly not.
The final memory that will always be with me came when I diapered a feisty Bella. The first song I sang to her was the first one that popped into my head when she would cry during diaper changes. "Rockin Robin" was light and entertaining and it was the most youthful tune I could produce as my kid song repertoire was not yet developed. Bella loved it and, frankly, so did I.
I will not miss the controversial Michael Jackson. My life will not be different at all. But, there will never be another MJ. And, I will always appreciate his music and remember his impact on my musical life (as small as it may seem), and the changes he made to the way people should think of one another.