They gave and gave as they dug his grave.

Posted by chrystibella on July 7, 2009

I watched Michael Jackson’s memorial service and there were some touching moments. I did cry and by the time it was done I had soaked more than a couple of tissues. Brooke Shields’ speech was the best. I think she probably did know him better than most. Her story about them sneaking into Elizabeth Taylor’s room to see her wedding gown and finding Elizabeth asleep was the best.

Magic Johnson’s story about Michael ordering KFC for dinner and how amazed he was that MJ ate food like the rest of America was funny too. It seemed that to most of us Michael Jackson was placed upon a pedestal far beyond our reach of what is “normal”. He became the illusion of non-reality and in a way Michael himself began to see the man in the mirror, himself; as something beyond what actually existed.  His major talent, his magnificence, dehumanized him.  He said himself, he was Peter Pan.

Unable to move among us in public without being mobbed, he had to be surrounded by handlers and body guards. Incapable of simple acts such as going to the grocery store, he had to pay people to get the things he needed. He became surrounded by people who did anything he wished. I think this was his demise. Nobody said “NO” to him.

During the service it was mentioned several times how God took Michael to heaven. It’s not as if Michael were struck down by an accident or some serious illness. He died because he had an addiction and there were so many who were willing to say “YES” to him when he wanted something that would ultimately kill him and take him too soon away from his children. I feel so sorry for his kids. I hope they have someone they love to look out for them.

How many times in our own lives has someone close to us told us something we didn’t want to hear but needed to hear?  Probably more times than we care to count, eh?  All of us have been told “NO” and we usually found later that things turned out better because of it.   Perhaps we didn’t wear that hideous outfit in public because our friend was kind enough to tell us it wasn’t flattering.    There are many examples I can think of, the clothing one just comes to mind but there are more serious matters when having someone who CARES enough to look out for our best interest is important for our well being.  Like the Emperor with no clothes, Michael Jackson lived his life among servile individuals.  Nobody was looking out for HIS well being.  Only for themselves. $$$

Michael Jackson might have made his huge comeback and been around to enjoy watching his children grow up if only someone had told him “NO.” I realize that there were many people standing in the wings ready willing and able to give him anything he wanted. They gave and gave as they dug his grave. So truly sad…

I will miss Michael Jackson.  I grew up with his music from the beginning of his career.  I can remember walking into  music class in the 4th grade and hearing the Jackson Five’s song…. “Oh baby give me one more chance….to tell you I love you” resonating from the am radio.  I remember when MTV first came out and Michael’s music videos were bigger than life productions.  For decades his music has played in the background of my life.  He was only a couple of years older than me so I am also reminded of my own mortality.  He touched many lives and as the King of Pop, his music will go on and he will be memorialized beyond the man he was just as his real life was bigger than even he himself could live up to.  Fame has a big price.

Sam Harris gave a thoughtful analogy of why he felt Micheal Jackson lived as he did. It’s well worth the 13 minute video.