July 7th 2009

[Antwort]

In several parts of the world, including Europe, it's still July 7th. Surely no one here needs reminding what took place nine years ago today. I can still clearly remember all the details - from the domestic issues that day to the logistical set-up of recording the memorial. To my own detriment (and that of others), I have an elefunk memory and every now and then I get masochistic tendencies and cannot help but remember dreadful experiences.

Strangely enough, at the time, although deeply hurt to see that golden casket with roses, I had a sense of tranquility and serenity about it all and felt very proud after the service. That feeling of pride carries on to this very day. It was and is beautiful to see how much Michael's music has touched people and has brought people all over the world together - one in conscience and one in pain? How did that TII tour poster go again?

I'm sure many, especially in the media, were surprised to see the global reaction to the announcement that Michael is gone. The outpouring of grief all over the world that summer, the multitudes watching the movie for those two very special weeks in the autumn, all of that must have been unexpected for the individuals who tried so hard to separate Michael from the people's affection. About the memorial Wikipedia says that

According to some news sources the event exceeded 2.5 billion viewers, which would make it the most watched live television broadcast in history worldwide. Although this number is not widely agreed upon.

The Telegraph says that the audience was about 1 billion - the biggest celebrity send-off of all time https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture...e-biggest-celebrity-send-off-of-all-time.html

They started it off their article with the following paragraph The singer once said his own funeral would be the "greatest show on earth" and he would not have been disappointed as music royalty turned out at a memorial service for the "King of Pop". Is that truly so? I thought his life, not his death was supposed to be the greatest show on earth. But with Michael, who knows?

In any case it was a beautiful service and I was most pleased with its ending and that wonderful closing prayer by Pastor Lucious Smith because even the king of pop bends his knee to the King of Kings.

I know these words were taken a bit too literally by the hoax folks, but still it's true in a way.....he IS alive, through music, of course. Not so sure about the funeral, but I've got it on good authority from lil' Mike that LOVE is the greatest show on earth.

 

[Mikky Dee]

A lovely post. Thank you for sharing. I cried for hours, all through that memorial and on and off, for weeks/months afterwards. Before it, I was kind of numb and dazed and non-believing. It's as though the memorial broke down the wall I had put up......it cut through the denial and showed me that he truly was gone...it made me FEEL everything in a flood of emotion. Seeing the casket was very difficult. The family showed such grace, poise and restraint throughout the entire service and I will forever remember Paris speaking out about what he was like as a father. She still speaks out, to this day, bless her heart. Bless all three of Michael's children, who were so loved by their Daddy.

 

[PixieJ]

Yes, i remember. Thanks for sharing this Girl and Mickey Dee. I too cried for weeks and months, but the memorial also gave me a sense of peace and closure. I still can't believe it's been 9 years.

 

[Antwort]

^^^ Most welcome. I very much can believe it's been nine years. So much so, that after all this time I'm still struggling to find some sort of closure. Hopefully, I will, in the not too distant future. My track record in the matter is beyond awful, if not downright abysmal, but perhaps with a bit of help from outside I will manage.

A lovely post. Thank you for sharing. I cried for hours, all through that memorial and on and off, for weeks/months afterwards. Before it, I was kind of numb and dazed and non-believing. It's as though the memorial broke down the wall I had put up......it cut through the denial and showed me that he truly was gone...it made me FEEL everything in a flood of emotion. Seeing the casket was very difficult. The family showed such grace, poise and restraint throughout the entire service and I will forever remember Paris speaking out about what he was like as a father. She still speaks out, to this day, bless her heart. Bless all three of Michael's children, who were so loved by their Daddy.

No need to thank me; it was from the heart and something that I felt needed to be written at this point in time. I purposefully left out Paris' testimony because it was the most emotional moment. I was very proud of her and the entire family; the world needed to hear just how great a dad Michael was.

As soon as that news on June 25th was broadcast, the children and his mother were my first concerns, especially the kids who were so young at the time. Bigi was 7 then, right? If I remember correctly, there were reports that initially, to soften the impact of the news, he had been told that daddy was on holiday. Bless them all indeed, God bless them abundantly.

 

[dam2040]

Still never seen it. Don’t think I could ever bring myself to watch it. I remember seeing MJ come out and crying recklessly hoping they wouldn’t open the casket. I turned it off and never watched it since.

 

[moonstreet]

It's as though the memorial broke down the wall I had put up......it cut through the denial and showed me that he truly was gone...it made me FEEL everything in a flood of emotion.

This is exactly the same as me. I was in Staples Center, some how me and my friends and everyone I knew who travelled from Europe managed to get tickets for Staples Center. None of us got tickets through that farce of a lottery but some how everyone found a way to get a ticket. It was like Michaels one last gift to us, to have us all there together, with him in Staples Center for one last time.

In the darkness , arm in arm with my friends, we cried our hearts out. That flood of tears has been the only time in the last 9 years that I have been able to let the full force of my grief show. In the darkness of Staples Center, surrounded by friends who had shared the most magical adventures with me, we said our final goodbye.

My brain could not comprehend what my eyes were seeing, most of the speeches and songs and performers I dont remember. We knew The Jackson Family would be there but it was only when we were in our seats and were getting texts from friends not at Staples Center that we found out that he would be there too.

I have never watched the ceremony and I have no interest in watching it. That day a part of my soul broke, shattered like glass and my life changed. Darkness replaced happiness, a darkness I battle every day. Friendships faded, grief replaced joy and always in my head, I never thought Id see a world without him.

 

[smooth-criminals]

This is exactly the same as me. I was in Staples Center, some how me and my friends and everyone I knew who travelled from Europe managed to get tickets for Staples Center. None of us got tickets through that farce of a lottery but some how everyone found a way to get a ticket. It was like Michaels one last gift to us, to have us all there together, with him in Staples Center for one last time.

In the darkness , arm in arm with my friends, we cried our hearts out. That flood of tears has been the only time in the last 9 years that I have been able to let the full force of my grief show. In the darkness of Staples Center, surrounded by friends who had shared the most magical adventures with me, we said our final goodbye.

My brain could not comprehend what my eyes were seeing, most of the speeches and songs and performers I dont remember. We knew The Jackson Family would be there but it was only when we were in our seats and were getting texts from friends not at Staples Center that we found out that he would be there too.

I have never watched the ceremony and I have no interest in watching it. That day a part of my soul broke, shattered like glass and my life changed. Darkness replaced happiness, a darkness I battle every day. Friendships faded, grief replaced joy and always in my head, I never thought Id see a world without him.

In the most horrible circumstances, I'm glad I was with you, Anita and Jane for that. I'll never forget the grief we shared together in that moment.

 

[Lillycat85]

I watched it yesterday and I really thought after 9years it would be easier.
But what it makes even more difficult that we thought at that time the familie would take good care but...

 

[KOPV]

For all the emotions that poured out... I cant tell you enough how it felt to actually be there!!!!! Even my cried and she was a fresh fan at the time

 

[Mercurial_Dudette]

Would never forget it.

Imagine MJ's memorial day falling on my birthday, my 18th birthday. So there I was, in the early morning of my 18th birthday watching under my blanket, sobbing quietly from what I was seeing.