I am 28 years old and I remember first hearing Mike when I was 3. I’ve been a fan since. He was the only English music I knew…shoot, Mike taught me English. Everyone knew my love for Mike… the librarian at my JHS called me Mrs. Jackson and gave me the school copy of “The Making of Thriller” as a graduation gift. And like you, I performed to many of his songs and gave it my all, because it was Mike. Unlike you, I won (lol).

The world is not the same without Michael Jackson in it. God decided he was going to give the world a musical talent that we’ve never seen before when He created Mike and that’s why no one will be able to touch him. Mike was sprinkled with some extra something special and that’s why we will never fully understand how he was able to create perfect music and move his body in perfect rhythm. We just listen and watch, in awe and admire.

This hurts and I am going to miss him terribly. I hope to one day share him with my children and that they love his music as much as I do.

When some time passes, I will cuddle up and watch my collection (dozens of VHS tapes) of Michael material I’ve collected over the years and be thankful I was around to witness a portion of his career with my own 2 eyes.

I am reading your post 2 days later and it’s the first of anything I’ve read regarding Mike’s passing because I knew that in your writing, you would’ve encapsulated how so many of us are feeling in a way that was deserving of Michael Jackson and his true fans. So, once again, thank you.

My condolences go out to the Jackson family.

It’s crazy how we learn to care for people we never met, and how certain memories and key events in your life include this person. Michael putting Iman in his ‘Remember the Time’ video fended off the African booty scratcher jokes for a bit, and yall know I was playin with my mom’s kohl stick trying to get my nefertiti on, I was a princess! From Dirty Diana to Man in The Mirror, this mans music meant so much to me, and the WORLD. He was beyond American celebrity, he is known everywhere…I really don’t know what to so say except, there really won’t be another, no one comes even close now, and I’m glad he gave us all he did…

P, thanks for this post, you said it better than I could…

I’m also fan of the sappy Girl is Mine. McCarntney and Jackson BLEW on that song.

“The girl is miiiine….the girl is MINE!”.

Man, that’s dope. What a powerhouse.

@miss t-lee,

Yeah, my cousin and I spent summer after summer competiting as to who could lean the farthest. I wish I had a digital camera back then because I would be taking mad pics and uploading them on Facebook.