Rest in Peace (R.I.P) Michael Joseph Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson (1958-2009)

It has been almost 2 weeks since the ill-fated morning of June 25th 2009. I remember I woke up to an SMS from my wife at 8am! (I was on Business Trip in Penang). Right after I read the SMS, I turned on the BBC Channel on my hotel room. And there it was, the continuous Live News Coverage of the Death of the King of Pop.

Shocked as I was, I was just silent throughout the entire morning. Whether you are, were or even if you weren't a fan, you knew who this person was. My grandfather knows him, so does the youngest cousin of mine. No Death of a Celebrity had such hightened popularity and publicity since Princess Diana. Being humans that we are, at the final years of his life, things were going down, many looked down at a man, fallen from grace, with accusations here and there. But the moment he passed, everything changed to respected comments and praise for a man, who's dream, achievements and personality matched no other. Thus those who thought of him otherwise when he was alive, would now feel the sorrow, guilt, and sadness.

I'll skip the rest, as almost everyone else in the world had provided their touching and memorable comments. I would like to share my feelings of the Final Chapter in Michael's Life which was official with the Michael Jackson Memorial Service, Live from the Staples Centre in LA @ 1am-3.30am (Malaysian time)

As expected, it was a true touching event, an event where cheers and rejoicing sounds were expected to be heard, but in fact, as the 11,000 strong crowd filled up the arena, the only sound was Silence...

There were no emcees, the performers just came on stage when their turn came, one speech, one song, and so on. One of the most heartwarming and strong message that was presented was by Reverand Al Sharpton which automatically got an entire standing ovation! He was addressing Michael's children:

"There wasn't nothing strange about your daddy, it was strange what your daddy had to deal with, but he dealth with it!"

A good friend of Michael's, Brooke Shields also shared that his favourite song was not one of his master pieces, rather, it was a song by Charlie Chaplin back in 1928 called "Smile". Right after her speech, Michael's brother, Jermaine Jackson took the stage and sang that very song:

His performance was one of my favourite. So touching and sincere it was. He had to hold back his tears, and after his performance, he threw a rose on Michael's casket.

There were many other Stars who sang tributes, all were excellent songs! Even the young kid, Shaheen Jafargholi, who rose to fame on the Britain's Got Talent show, by singing the same song that made him famous, which was the Jackson 5's "Who's Lovin You". Michael even invited him to sing with him at the upcoming 50 Concerts which will now never be held.

The final part of the Memorial was a few speeches by a few of Michael's brothers, one who was reduced to tears as he ended his thank you speech. The last speech was by Paris Michael, Michael's one and only daughter. She was already sobbing as she took the mic:

It was a heartfelt tribute to her father, whom she will miss for the rest of her life.

Tears, passion, sadness, smiles, rejoicing, remembering, respecting, honouring & loving...

These had been the feelings of people all over the world. We can now finally give Michael his well deserved rest, as he places himself now next to the Lord.

"Heal The World, Make It A Better Place, For You And For Me, And The Entire Human Race, There Are People Dying, If You Care Enough For The Living, Make A Better Place For You And For Me"

Michael Jackson, Rest In Peace...