Posted by
Eric Jay on Saturday, June 27, 2009 9:00:00 AM
Unless you have been in a complete fog the last couple of days there have been the passing of two celebrities. The two were 70's Icons. One was the beautiful Farrah Fawcett, the other was best described as the controversial Michael Jackson. I have but a few thoughts on each, and then I pray for their families and their souls.
First, the passing of Farrah Fawcett I will mourn. I recall, back in the day, my younger brother having all things Farrah Fawcett. My gosh, he had a Farrah Fawcett bean-bag- all the better to stare up at the ceiling with the ever famous red swimsuit, big blonde hair, a great natural smile, and, well, it must have been a little chilly (if you get my drift). While she too had her moments of lapses, as we all have, she seemed to have been, for all intents and purposes a fine woman. Her relationship with Ryan O'Neal transcended the years and in the end he was by her side. She held her head high and faced a devastating cancer with dignity. I am touched by her passing. I loved the 70's and 80's, and I am nostalgic...she was after all- one of Charlie's Angels...spread your wings Farrah!
Second, of course, is the passing of Michael Jackson. I am much more conflicted by his passing. The outpouring of grief and celebration of this man's life has been enormous. Michael Jackson, the performer, and, again a 70's/80's icon, died of a heart attack (or some cardiac malady) at his "rented" home in Los Angeles, a live-in doctor at his side- a cardiac physician at that. With the huge outpouring that is occurring worldwide, one can see how he has touched the lives of so many.
What concerns me, though, is the man, his character, his heart, and his overall behavior when not performing. There is no doubt that there was something just not right about the man. This is what has me conflicted. I guess the term that fits better is that I am ambivalent of his passing. I do not wish to pass judgment upon any man or woman; that is the purview of the big Guy upstairs. However, there was much in the life of MJ that really breaks my heart. His interactions with young boys, while questionable in the least, disgusting, disturbing and outright wrong. I pray that he made his peace before going to meet his maker.
We may very well, indeed, learn much about Michael's life. Was he a victim- more than likely? Was he conflicted- certainly yes. Did he need more help than the average psychologist/physician could handle, no question! I am certain that we will learn much about his life with boys. At his passing I would think his many "deals of confidentiality" have more than likely gone out the window. Do you think some of these, now young men, will want to cash in on Michael's death? Their money trail has probably ceases- now, if not earlier. The man ran out of, what, a billion dollars? Had to sell off Never land Ranch...did he still own the Beatles song library? He ended his life in a rented home. I imagine he was a very lonely man, not something I would wish upon my worst enemy. His soul was certainly conflicted and I would not place upon him the moniker of evil as he may well have been so broken that there was nowhere for his damaged psyche to go...
I do pray that he is now at peace. I pray that his family will find peace. I pray that in his passing that the lives of many will be touched. That his death would not be in vain, I pray that any who would be hurting as he was would find the help they (and he) so desperately need. I pray that good will come out of the tragic life that was Michael Jackson.
That is what has me so conflicted. Michael's life is being celebrated as though there were nothing amiss. I hate to say it, but he was defined by his limitations, by his flaws. Whereas, I truly believe that Farrah, at least in her last days, fought for life. Fought for dignity, fought for family, fought for what is good. Michael was lost behind double doors, more than likely surrounded by brokenness.
Well, may the Lord take each family in His hands, and comfort them. May His love pour forth from their tragic passing; one from cancer a disease ravaging the cellular life- the other from a cancer of the psyche. May His love help those who may be similarly suffering, may His strength pour forth and lift those out of misery and despair.