Michael’s Message

Did you ever have the feeling that the voice of Spirit was trying to tell you something?  Not merely thoughts that pop into your head, or memories from past events, but the silent universal prod—an inner feeling that a meaningful message is working its way toward you, asking you to fulfill a purpose? 

Remarkably, many dot members on this Tribute website have revealed to one another that they have had an extraordinary, spiritual experience following Michael’s passing.  They wonder, and many believe wholeheartedly, they have been visited by Michael himself and are being given a sign, shown a path, watched over, comforted, or given a message.  So many of the stories are convincing and compelling. 

Do you believe Michael is guiding you or giving you a message for yourself or the world?  Please share with others by leaving a comment below, following the Introduction by this featured group’s leader, Michelle Gold.

Introduction

It is a unique and exciting experience for me to be here greeting all of you today!  My name is Michelle, and many of you already know me as MJmagic4ever (Dot #16265)—the lady who wrote a lot of poetry in her profile photo album.   I am a 45 year-old-health care worker from New Jersey.  I am happily married, have a beautiful teenage daughter, and can only describe myself as being the most ordinary, down to earth person you would ever meet.  Like many of you, I have been a devoted Michael Jackson fan all my life.  Since I was a very young child, I listened to many genres of music.  The sweet sounds of Motown’s music caught my attention and one group stood out from the rest.  It was the Jackson 5.  I identified with this group more than any other because of a unique young boy’s voice—Michael Jackson’s voice.  The impact of his untimely passing has been a difficult time for all of us, especially for his family.  It was on June 25, 2009, the day of my 45th birthday, I learned the sweet voice I grew up with and carried throughout my adult years would no longer sing to me.

In September of 2009, I was searching the Internet one day going through some of Michael’s old interviews and stage performance clips.  I coincidentally came upon the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait website.  I was intrigued by David Ilan’s artwork, and signed up to become a “dot” member. Since that day there have been a series of events that have taken place in my life, little signs of guidance that lead me to be here speaking to all of you.  It started out small.  I wanted to do something special to honor Michael, a gift from my heart.  I began writing poems.  Creative writing is a hobby I had in my childhood and through my teenage years.  I have not written anything in a long time due to my busy lifestyle. I intended to write one or two, but I felt compelled to continue.  I would sit down and look at a photograph of Michael and the words just kept on coming to me quite effortlessly.  I decided to write fifty-one poems, one to represent each year we had Michael with us, and one more just for L.O.V.E.  My poetry themes contained feelings of sadness over losing Michael, feelings of joy for the great times we shared with Michael, different elements of his life and things I know Michael appreciated such as art and the beauty of nature.  I accomplished my goal by New Year’s Eve, yet I still had a deep feeling that I wasn’t finished.  On New Year’s Day I began another photo album. This time I wanted the themes to be inspirational.  I focused the attention on the messages I have received from Michael’s music over the years about being a better person, using my creative energy to promote positive action—opening my eyes to opportunities to “make the world a better place.” 

There is an old saying:  “Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it!”  In my poems, I was asking for an opportunity to lend a helping hand.  In my second poem of the New Year, I was speaking to Michael in thought, and in the ending paragraph of my poem I said, “I will live each day to show I care, for you once asked me,‘ Will You Be There’?  I will ‘Keep the Faith’ and I must confess, my answer to you is simply yes.”   I knew I was writing a poem, but what I didn’t know is I was actually opening a new door in the spiritual realm, creating a role for myself to participate in this tribute.  A week later, I received an e-mail from Valmai (the tribute’s book editor) asking me if I would be interested in helping to begin a new group to be featured for this tribute—a place for dot members to share their spiritual experiences relating to Michael.  I was surprised, and very excited about it!

Then another unusual occurrence took place.  I was on my computer listening to a long play list of Michael’s music in my iTunes file.  I wanted to continue my writing, so I closed the program (not minimized it—closed it.)  Usually doing this causes the music to stop playing.  This time, the music continued playing for hours!  I was not able to reopen the program to try and close it.  I wrote an e-mail to Valmai telling her about it.  I said, “I think Michael feels like singing today!”   The next day my iTunes computer file was working normally.

If that isn’t enough to spark a curiosity that something (or someone) was trying to get my attention, as I was considering taking on the commitment to lead this featured group, I had been in contact with Jerry Biederman (the tribute organizer) and Valmai discussing some ideas for the format.  I went to work at my usual job that night thinking about this new venture.  When I arrived at my job site I noticed a newspaper from that day on my desk.  It happened to be opened to a page with an article about Michael, and his photograph was staring at me.  I thought for a moment and the first thing that came to mind was the words from my poem—my answer to Michael was “Yes.”  I looked up and whispered to Michael, “OK, I get it!”  I kept a copy of the newspaper article, and the next day, I wrote an e-mail letter to Jerry telling him about this experience and gladly accepted the opportunity to be involved. 

Some might call this coincidence.  I would, too, except I am a person who does not believe in coincidence.  I believe everything happens for a reason, although we may not fully understand the reason. I have had no personal, one-on-one connection with Michael Jackson.  I am simply a fan, like you, who enjoyed his extraordinary musical talent.  The only connection I do have is a spiritual connection, an open heart.  I have a lot of compassion in my heart for Michael, and all he has gone through in his life.  Since June 25th, I have spent a lot of time thinking about his life, children and family, hoping their hearts are healing.  I’ve done nothing out of the ordinary realm of my life since then, other than opening my heart, writing some poetry, and helping to console a few of Michael’s fans here on the tribute website who quickly became my friends.  Is it possible that because I opened my heart and released the intention of love and healing the universe responded to me by sending these signs?  Or is the power of Michael’s Message so strong that it has found a way to penetrate communication barriers between heaven and earth?  It would not surprise me at all, because Michael is known for accomplishing the seemingly impossible.  He knew that everything is possible if you believe.

That is what this new and exciting featured group is all about—sharing honest and true encounters of Michael’s Message, since his passing.  I have been informed that I am not alone in receiving these gentle nudges of guidance.  Is it possible Michael knows how sad we are without him?  Is this his way of trying to comfort us—by bringing us together here to grow stronger through world-wide friendship bonds?   It was Michael’s biggest dream to “Heal the World.”  Could this be the place where it is supposed to begin?  In one of my first poems, I quoted Michael’s song, “Cry,” then added my own response, which said, “Michael’s passing gave all of us a reason to ‘Cry’ together.  Maybe WE are the chosen ones now.  Perhaps out of our sorrow we can create a better tomorrow.”

What is Michael trying to tell us?  In healing ourselves, we can begin to heal the world.  I believe with all my heart if we stand strong together, and help heal the wounds of our own heart, we will see Michael’s Message come to life!  Just as David’s magnificent form of art is created dot by dot, perhaps each one of us holds a small piece of Michael’s Message.  Together we can connect our dots around the world to explore the meaning in Michael’s Message.

I invite you to share your true experiences about being connected to Michael, hearing his voice, seeing his face, being in his presence, being touched by him in an extraordinary way following June 25, 2009.

If you would like to leave an anonymous message, simply log out, post your entry, then log back in.

A Note of Gratitude

I would like to extend a very special thank you to Valmai Owens, who quickly became my friend and mentor in the world of writing.  No matter how busy she is, she always finds the time to make everyone feel special. Thank you Valmai for your confidence in me, I won’t let you down!  I am proud to know you, and extremely grateful for your interest in this special feature.  I am honored to have your article and beautiful poetry as a first response to Michael’s Message:

A Very Special Encounter

By: Valmai Owens

There are certain people you meet in life who you immediately connect with. You become aware of a feeling of familiarity and closeness; a feeling of spirit touching spirit.

I have experienced this connection with only a few people. Valerie, our tribute’s Director of Member Relations, and one of the most recent, Michelle.

We first met through this tribute’s book project, Fans in the Mirror. I had contacted her about a poem she had written, which I was considering for publication. After e-mailing back and forth a few times, I was aware of the close kinship I felt toward her. Perhaps it was because we shared the same love for writing and poetry, or maybe because we shared such similar views on life. We are also very spiritual beings and have experienced similar unexplained encounters where we have felt Michael working within us, or directing us. Whatever the reasons, I believe it wasn’t by chance that we met. I sincerely believe that Michael was working his magic upon us.

When Jerry asked if I had any ideas for who could host this group, my immediate reply was Michelle. Her openness and loving heart made her the perfect candidate and I quickly told him so. I realized, also, that we had been brought together for this reason. Like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, we had been placed together to complete a whole picture.

Since Michael’s passing, there have been many defining moments where I have felt his spiritual presence, but none so powerful as the few days leading up to New Year’s Eve and the ones following.

Michael’s death came as a complete shock. Suddenly, without warning, this wonderful man and incredible entertainer who I had grown to love, was no longer with me. I refused to accept it and reached a point where I stopped watching his videos. I could not bring myself to pick up a book or magazine that had his picture in it. I knew if I did, the pain and grief I was trying so hard to ignore would rise up. I would have no choice but to accept that Michael had left me and that was unthinkable.

Then something occurred during the days leading up to New Year’s Eve. I suddenly felt compelled to watch his videos again and although I fought hard not to, it seemed I had no control over what was happening.

Each time I watched Michael sing and dance his way across my television screen, I could feel the emotions welling up inside me. They were unstoppable and on New Year’s Eve the floodgates opened completely. It was one of the hardest days I have ever had to live through, but also one of the most healing. The fact that Michael had gone was a truth I had to face, and once I had, then acceptance was so much easier to be found.

Through it all, I felt Michael there with me and the message he was sending; that even though his physical presence was gone, his spiritual presence would always be here. Believing this gave me the strength to let go of his hand and say goodbye to the physical and open my heart to welcome his spirit.

That night I posted an article sharing this emotional and very personal experience. Although it was widely received in a positive light, there were some who misunderstood what I had been trying to say and some of the comments that were left hurt me deeply. I started to have doubts about my motives behind what I had written and wondered if it had just been wishful thinking on my part, that Michael had played a part in it.

Then, out of nowhere, Michelle responded with a message to me, along with her beautiful poem Eternal Flame. I posted it to my article immediately, because not only was it a confirmation of support to what I had written, she had also felt ‘directed’ to write it. Magical Michael was at work again. On Sunday, January 3, I experienced his magic again, stronger than ever before and I could no longer deny that spiritual forces were at work within me.

I have never considered myself a poet, let alone able to write poetry with any amount of confidence. Since June 25, 2009, I have found myself, on occasion, inspired to do just that. Words will form in my head quite randomly and will not go away until they have been written upon paper. Although these moments had not occurred for some time, I believed with all my heart though, that when it did happen, I was being channeled. What has confirmed this for me was the very special encounter I had with Michael that Sunday.

It was a very strange day. I had not written any poems in so long, I felt like my inspiration had gone. As Michael has been my inspiration to write poetry, I wondered if he had in fact left me, when I had said goodbye to him. I also wondered if I had become so caught up in everything I was doing, that unconsciously I had pushed him to one side.
 
It took me hours to achieve anything, simply because my head was filled with words. I couldn't concentrate and I found myself pacing the house smoking way too much. I finally gave in and picked up a pen and some paper and started writing. As I listened to the words in my head, I realized that it wasn't my voice I heard. It sounded suspiciously like Michael's and I freaked out a little, I have to admit. The poem “My Hope” was the result of my dramatic encounter and took only minutes to write down. The poem streamed out of me so fast that I could barely keep up. Clearly, it was coming from another place. I have had spiritual encounters before, but nothing quite like this.

After reading it, I knew it was Michael’s poem; that they were his words and not mine. I also believe it was another confirmation of support to the article I wrote on New Year’s Eve and Michelle's stunning poem. I have never felt closer to Michael than what I did at that moment and I will never doubt again that Michael is very much alive in me; alive in all of us. All we have to do is open our hearts to his message and allow it to be heard.

Valmai Owens
Editor of Fans in the Mirror

My Hope

Before you knew me I was there

Waiting for you to become aware

Of the message I had to share with you

That spoke of love, and hope and all things true.

I have walked by your side holding your hands

Watching you grow into loyal fans

Smiling as you danced to Billie Jean

More loving hearts I have never seen.

Together we grew into a beautiful tree

Watered by love for the world to see

Its branches grew, giving comfort and shade

A haven of peace so joyfully made.

And when the world tried to tear me down

Just when I thought there was no-one around

You held ‘my’ hand and stood by ‘my’ side

With love, honor and so much pride.

When my spirits fell, through other’s blame

Yours lifted me up above the pain

And all could see that I was not alone

Your love for me was clearly shown.

Through all these years we have been together

Believing that it would last forever

Until one day I heard my name being called

And I could not deny the voice of our Lord.

I was pulled towards his loving arms

With joy and sadness walking arm in arm

From this Earth it was hard to depart

For behind me I would leave your broken hearts.

Your tears rain down upon this place

As my absence from life you try to face

Please know I’m not that far from you at all

Really all you need to do is call.

I promised that we would never part

Believe those words with all your heart

I am with you now and in each new day

Look for my star to guide your way.

You surround my heart on David’s canvas

Bringing me hope and so much gladness

That what I stood for will never die

Even if some still dare to try.

So spread my message in all you do

And water our tree with love and truth

Find your strength through God’s loving Grace

And make this world a better place.

I Loved You First.

© Copyright 2009 Valmai Owens All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction Without Permission Of Owner.

Michael's Message Update:

New Article:  My Dream 3/30/10

My Dream

(A true story of a dream I had one night about 3 months after Michael's passing.)

I've been a Michael Jackson fan most of my life.  I've always loved Michael, his music, his creative art, but in all the years I've followed his career I never once had a dream about him.  Soon after he passed away, I felt compelled to write poetry about him.  It was such a strong feeling, I could not ignore it, nor can I explain it. I would be going through my normal daily routine, then suddenly words would pop into my head, sometimes a paragraph would appear out of nowhere.  At times, I heard these words recited in my head, and quickly wrote them down only to find myself writing an entire poem around these words later on.  Poetry was a hobby I had during my childhood years and through my teenage years, but since that time many years ago I haven't written any poetry at all until Michael passed away.  For some unknown reason Michael placed the pen back into my hand, and I instinctively knew what I had to do.   About three months after Michael died I had a dream one night.  It was a very short dream, but I have found that it had a significant message. 

In my dream, I was in a room in a small house.  I saw Michael sitting across from where I was sitting. He was dressed in black pants, a black jacket, a white shirt, and his black Fedora hat. I could see the curls of a few strands of his hair peeking out from under his hat. It was probably during the time he was in his late thirties.  He had a white bird in his hand, not a dove, a larger white bird possibly in the parrot family, maybe a cockatoo.  He looked at me straight in the eyes and he smiled. His eyes were intense and sincere.  He took the bird in his hand and placed it on my left shoulder.  In the dream, he said to me, "Keep writing your poetry, and I will set it to music."  I smiled at him, and looked at the bird on my shoulder.  I took my finger, and gently pet the bird's head.  When I looked back toward where Michael had been sitting, he had disappeared.  I felt sad that I didn't have a chance to say anything to him.

I woke up the next morning, trying to figure out what Michael meant by what he said to me.  I was writing poetry, not songs.  I am certainly not a musician, and barely even a poet. I could not imagine what he meant by what he said in my dream.  After speaking to a few friends about this dream I did a little research to try and understand its meaning.  I thought of other words that were synonymous with music.  The word harmony came to my mind.  I looked up the word harmony in the dictionary, and there were four definitions.  Under the third definition, the dictionary used the word "tranquility" which I didn't associate with harmony, but when I read it, I quickly associated it with the title of a poem I had written for Michael called "Tranquility" which was inspired by a photo I saw of Michael sitting on a back porch facing the ocean with many trees around.  He was wearing a black hat and coat, and black pants. He was sitting there with his feet up, just reading a book. Away from the usual crowds of people that always seemed to follow him, he looked so peaceful and relaxed I wrote a  poem about a quiet moment in nature that he seemed to be enjoying in that photograph.  Another thing to note is that in my poem "Tranquility" there is a line I wrote which says, "In the distance, a bird is calling..." which may tie in with the bird he gave to me in the dream, or the fact that he was trying to send a message to me from a distance. 

The forth definition of the word harmony stated "an interweaving of different accounts into a single narrative; a systematic arrangement of parallel literary passages (as of the Gospels) for the purpose of showing agreement or harmony."  This definition stated "literary passages."  Could this be linked to the poetry I was writing?  OK, I thought, what does this mean? 

When I told a friend named Gina (who I also met on the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait website) about this dream, she e-mailed a photograph of Michael to me, one I've never seen before.  Reminding you that I have been looking at thousands of photo's of Michael all throughout my life, and recently after Michael's death I looked at hundreds more, and I have never come across this particular photograph.  Gina told me that the photo she sent me was featured a very long time ago in Rolling Stone magazine, which I have never read.  The picture of Michael she sent me is the same picture you see above.  There was Michael with the same bird from my dream on his left shoulder. 

I thought about this for days.  I told my friend Diane about this dream, and the fact that the bird was shown in the photograph on Michael's left shoulder, which is the same location he placed the bird, on my left shoulder.  Diane is very spiritually connected, and she told me that the photo was a confirmation that Michael did indeed visit me.  She told me because I opened my heart to Michael through writing my poetry, he was spiritually in tune with me, and perhaps came to thank me for writing nice things about him.  She told me to look up the meaning of the white cockatoo online, and this is what I found:  It seems in Australia and in the Celtic tradition a white cockatoo is a symbol of illumination or the illuminator.  In some cultures, the color white is a symbol of purity or innocence.

After this insight, I logged on to the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait website (on 3/4/10 at 12:10 PM).  I clicked on the page of the website where fans display their photo albums, and on the first page I randomly picked the album of a fan named  Rosana (her website username is RPalmeira29).  In this album, there were only five photographs.  One of the photographs was the same rare picture of Michael with the cockatoo on his left shoulder!  I immediately e-mailed my friend Gina to tell her about it—after all, what are the chances of this happening?  Coincidence—no, I don’t believe in coincidence.  For some reason this picture was appearing to me, and I had to understand why.

Days later, after all the ideas were connecting in my mind it finally occurred to me what my dream meant.  The bird on my shoulder represented a pure "truth" or "illumination" having to do with Michael.  One of the reasons I was writing my poetry about Michael was to tell what I believe to be the truth about him, and who I believe he was as a person.  I was very disheartened over the years to see all the negative stories about Michael in the news.  It was in my heart to somehow, through my written work give a measure of the dignity and humanity that was unfairly taken from Michael back to him. 

What does all of this have to do with my dream?  After giving it a lot of thought, I honestly believe Michael’s subtle message to me was that the future of his controversial legacy will be determined by the people telling his story.  By Michael placing the bird on my shoulder, it was symbolic of a responsibility that I am proud to uphold.  Since I believe Michael was a wonderful, kind, loving, generous, and compassionate human being, he left the responsibility of telling his truth resting upon my shoulder!  I know all of the fans who believe in him will have an important role in telling the truth of Michael’s story, and we will tell it with honor and dignity for the newer and younger fans to discover and enjoy for generations to come. 

© Copyright 2010 J. Michelle Gold, All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction Wtihout Permission Of Owner.

**A special note of gratitude to my friends Gina, Rosana, & Diane for supporting this article, and allowing me to mention their names here.  You have all played an important role in helping me put all the pieces of the puzzle of this dream together to share with the world!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart**
 

MJ Hugs,
Michelle

x0x0x0x0x

Michael's Message Update 6/24/10:

"Remember the Time" and Michael's Message

I was sitting at home this week taking time to reflect on all of the wonderful years we had Michael here with us.  I was listening to some of the old Jackson 5 music, an album called Michael Jackson The Stripped Mixes.  It is an Acapella version of the older songs, where the instrumental sounds are silenced, and the voice of the singer is the only music you hear.  As I was listening, it occurred to me that the Acapella mixes are very appropriate for this week because in the arrangement of the songs, something is missing.  The music, the sound that makes the song more complete and the part that instrumentally strikes a chord in your very soul.  The instrumental voices combine in harmony with the voice of the singer, as if they were trying to become one voice. But something was missing. This is exactly how life has felt for me since June 25, 2009.  Something is missing. I know intellectually that a year has passed since Michael died but for me, time seems to have stopped on that day. Someone who made the world so much sweeter is missing.

 As I listened attentively to the echo of Michael’s childhood voice sweeping into my ears and touching my spirit, I thought back to the time when I was a child listening to his voice for the first time.  I was only about five years old, but even then there was a certain quality, a rare innocence in his voice which commanded my attention.  A voice that was soulful and  rich beyond its years, inviting and comforting.  A voice that wanted to be heard. I opened the CD case, and there was a really cute photograph of the ten year old little boy who the sweet voice belonged to, wearing a little brown corduroy jacket and a red button down shirt.  He was sitting in a tree, with a huge smile on his face.  Where did the time go, I thought.  Wasn’t it just yesterday  when I was putting all of the vinyl 45 records on the turn table and placing the needle gently onto the groove of the vinyl, which released a soft hissing sound that quickly got drowned out by the funky music of five amazing brothers from Gary, Indiana in simpler times?  I was a child, singing and dancing endlessly to the music of the Jackson 5 and many other amazing Motown artists.  I felt as if this music was written specifically for my ears because I loved it so much.  I was a child, enjoying the carefree childhood years and Michael was a child just a few years older than me, working his way up through the ranks from amateur singer in  a family vocal group at the Apollo theater to the sensational world renown, well accomplished, and highly decorated songwriter, singer, dancer, film producer, and phenomenal showman that he was.  We were two spirits living in the same time period but on very different paths.

It was 1979, and I was a sophomore in high school when Off The Wall was released.  While Michael was making a name for himself in his solo artistry, I was getting through school by day and was also a volunteer on my town’s first aid squad by night.  Michael was in the midst of saving the music industry from its post-disco slump, and changing the face of pop music as we knew it, while I was helping save lives and educating the people in my community about the importance of learning CPR and basic first aid skills.   Jumping ahead to 1982, with the release of what is now known as the best selling album of all time, Thriller, I was now a high school graduate, pursuing further education as a medical assistant, while Michael was making music history.  Oh how I loved his music!  His music is what got me by from day to day.  I lived to hear Billie Jean, and still do!  Although Michael never knew it, he was my first love.  He was the man in music I truly admired……the Elvis of my time.  He was the guy I was rooting for during all of the Grammy and American Music Awards shows.  Michael was the entertainer that stood out from the crowd, and the guy I wanted to see win at the game of life.  Each time he succeeded, I felt as if I had triumphed!  Breaking one record after another,  Michael was the one who made me feel as if I could do anything.  Today as I sit here writing to all of you, if I could do anything, I would bring him back to our side.

Michael was much more to me than a magnificent entertainer.  Although we have come to know him through his fame, many of us would agree that we have come to love him for his gigantic heart.  All through the years, in between the insanity of the media’s accusations and the incredible heights of his musical achievements, I would catch little stories here and there. With no help from the mass media, who only wanted to report the untruthful tales of Michael’s life, on occasion there would be a wonderful story about how Michael made a difference in our world.  The story that stands out for me the most is the story of Michael’s friendship with Ryan White, a young boy from Indiana who suffered from a disease called hemophilia.  Because of this illness, Ryan had no choice but to undergo blood transfusions as part of his treatment.  It was back in the 80’s, when the field of medicine was first learning about a new disease called AIDS.  Unfortunately, Ryan contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion, because back then it was not yet known how AIDS was being spread, and the testing that is now available for blood donors was unavailable at that time.  Ryan was ridiculed by the people in his town because of a disease he contracted through no fault of his own, while being treated for an illness.  I remember Ryan appearing on the Phil Donahue talk show, speaking of how people were afraid to be near him, because they were afraid of catching AIDS from him.  He was made to feel unwelcome in his hometown, and in his school and eventually when the prejudice and discrimination situation got to the point of being intolerable, he and his family were forced to move to another town where they were welcomed.

When Ryan’s story became known publicly, there were a few earth angels who came to his side to help the public become more educated about AIDS, and to allow them to understand that AIDS can be contracted in many ways, and all of us are equally susceptible to this disease.  Phil Donohue, Judith Light, Sir Elton John, and Michael Jackson were among the earth angels who brought love and light to Ryan’s story, and people began to see Ryan for the innocent young man he was, and dispel the myths that haunted him.  This story always stood out in my mind, because back in the early 80’s is the same time period that I was new to the medical field.  It was a scary time to work in the medical field, because of the constant exposure to patients’ blood and body fluids a healthcare worker has while helping to treat people for their injuries and illnesses.  I am no different than most humans in being a little concerned for my own health and safety, however, unlike the humans who would ridicule a patient who was ill and in need of help, I simply took proper infection control precautions as they became known to us through the CDC (Center of Disease Control). 

When I  learned of Michael’s friendship with Ryan, I saw for the first time another side of Michael.  He was not only the child-star, turned mega pop music King I grew up with, but he was a true humanitarian.  A loving and kind man who couldn’t bear to see people like Ryan getting hurt over an illness he could not help.  For the first time I saw the compassionate Michael  who extended his hand in friendship to Ryan and his family while others shunned them.  Ryan and his family were invited to Michael's home at Neverland to spend time with him.  This was the turning point for me in a new kind of love and respect for Michael.  I no longer viewed him as just an entertainer, but I had a new reason to fall in love with him.  Michael was teaching the world that we can not allow ourselves to be so overcome with fear that we forget to see the human side of the story.  Ryan was not a label called AIDS, but a young boy who was facing a time in his life when he and his family needed to be loved and accepted more than any other time in their life.  In learning about Ryan’s story and Michael’s involvement in Ryan’s life, I learned a very important lesson early in my career in the medical field. I learned to be the kind of person who is willing to run toward a person who is suffering, rather than run away from them. I learned to treat each patient with the utmost dignity and respect, because behind every diagnostic label, there is a human being who deserves love and respect.  These people are someone’s son/daughter, brother/sister, father/mother, and friend.

From that day forward, I was no longer afraid to do the work I was called to do. Michael taught me not to be afraid to embrace a person suffering from illness. He reminded me that when I see a person suffering, that is the time they need to receive the most love, understanding, and compassion.  I saw Ryan’s face in every patient I helped to get well, and I remembered the kindness, love and compassion Michael shared with Ryan, and so many other children who he has supported.  Michael may have been a pop star, but he was also one of the greatest teachers of our time.  I have learned more about doing God’s work through Michael’s fine example than any other.  I have learned a great deal about life through Michael.  In Michael, I have seen the very best that humanity has to offer, and through the painful injustices he has suffered I have learned that as humans we still have a very long way to go to evolve to the level of spirituality that Michael knew as his everyday home. 

It is no great mystery to me why Michael was so misunderstood by others.  While the majority of us still live in the “caveman” mentality of centuries ago, Michael was ahead of his time.  He graciously invited all of us to join him in his quest to “make the world a better place” but before we can do that, we must first better ourselves. In the words of the wonderful Maya Angelou, “We do the best we can with what we know, and when we know better, we do better.”   We must be willing to pack old ways and feelings neatly on the shelf, and begin a new way of thinking. We must learn to rise above a given situation and teach the world how to evolve.  If we want the answer to how we can make the world better, we must ask ourselves a new question each day:  What can I do today to make the world better?  How do I want to be remembered when my life is over?  It all begins with us, then our family, then our neighbors, then our communities, and on and on until the world is overtaken by the love and light of our finest human potential.  We were born with the seeds of greatness, now we must learn how to properly cultivate them. 

It is hours away from June 25, 2010.  Just 365 days ago, Michael was still here rehearsing for his new concert series.  As the clock ticks closer toward tomorrow, again I feel the pain of the events of last June in my heart.  Something is missing. The man who made our sun shine brighter with the illumination of his light is gone.  We will never stop missing Michael, but what a horrible shame it would be if we missed the point of his message!

MJ hugs,
Michelle
x0x0x0x0x

***A special note of gratitude to all of you who have been a pillar of strength for me in the past year.  We are all members of Michael's family of fans, and each one of us is a link in Michael's chain of L*O*V*E* and LIGHT.  Let's do the very best we can to continue Michael's beautiful humanitarian work.  Michael passed the torch to all of us, and now we must carry it, and run with it!***

I would also like to add a special poem I have written especially for the Jackson Family.  I pray their broken hearts will mend with the LOVE and support of all the kind souls in the world:

A Mournful Year


We ask upon this solemn day
Please help us find the words to say
To Michael’s family, who were torn apart
Please help us heal their wounded heart.

A precious life is forever gone,
A father, brother, loving son,
An uncle, cousin, faithful friend,
A true humanitarian.

Michael has magically captured our heart
Through music, dance, and creative art.
A mournful year it’s been for us
Our spirits broken, our hearts are crushed.

So much in life he had yet to do
We share your grief, your pain.
The world stands in support of you
His light of hope remains.

He entered our world in the warmth of summer
Marching to the gentle beat of his own drummer.
For many years we had him near
He brought us joy, excitement, cheer.

He had a mission, he stood his ground
Where children were lost, Michael was found.
He heard their cries, provided aid 
For this is just an angels way.

He taught the world to love and give
The way God intended for us to live.
Helping each other, hand in hand
To “heal the world” was his master plan.

We loved him as we did no other,
Accepted him as our own brother.
To the Jackson family, we share your sorrow
From our tears we’ll reach for a better tomorrow.

Michael left on a summer breeze in June
Taken from us much too soon.
In continuing his mission, we must strive
To keep his legacy alive. 

Our Father called him home that day
Against our prayers to let him stay.
He had a new mission for Michael to engage
Behind heaven’s curtain, with the angels backstage.

Sleep peacefully Michael, your work here is done,
Thanks for the L*O*V*E,  the thrills and the fun.
We miss you more as each day passes by,
Until we meet again at your concert in the sky!

© J. Michelle Gold
Written 6/18/10 

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No reproduction without permission from author