Tis most passing strange...
Two people who were very prominent figures in my youth passed away today: Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.
Michael Jackson was virtually the same age as me. Growing up, I remember listening to the Jackson 5 on AM top 40 radio. During one of my recent downloading frenzies on Napster, I grabbed a bunch of Jackson 5 songs and gleefully listened to them, in stereo!, remembering how they were connected to the very simple, happy times of my youth. Although his later life took him through some pretty strange twists and turns, I find it difficult to judge him too harshly. After all, I managed to navigate a good portion of my life through some pretty strange twists and turns. His songs with the Jackson 5 will forever be associated with an incredibly happy time in my life and for that I am thankful.
10 years later, right about the time he was staging perhaps the biggest comeback in pop music history with the release of Thriller, it was Farrah Fawcett who was having an impact on my life. Her red swimsuit poster was a must have for any red blooded American boy. She was just the epitome of the 70's. There was a down-to-earthed-ness about her that was incredibly attractive, not to mention her stunning natural beauty and a hairstyle that defined a generation. She just screamed feminity in an unapologetic and incredibly un-slutty manner. A rare combination in today's world. I was very gratified to read that she received the sacrament of annointing just prior to her death. That simple yet powerful gift of God's grace.
2 prominent icons of my youth left the earth today and with them, a little bit of me left as well. Mostly in the form of realizing that this life is fleeting and we can be called out of it anytime He wills it. Make the most of each day. We only get to take with us what we have given away to each other in love. The most precious gift we have to give away is ourselves. I'm going to make an increased effort to do just that, with the help of God's infinite love, mercy and Grace.
Knight all.
Michael Jackson was virtually the same age as me. Growing up, I remember listening to the Jackson 5 on AM top 40 radio. During one of my recent downloading frenzies on Napster, I grabbed a bunch of Jackson 5 songs and gleefully listened to them, in stereo!, remembering how they were connected to the very simple, happy times of my youth. Although his later life took him through some pretty strange twists and turns, I find it difficult to judge him too harshly. After all, I managed to navigate a good portion of my life through some pretty strange twists and turns. His songs with the Jackson 5 will forever be associated with an incredibly happy time in my life and for that I am thankful.
10 years later, right about the time he was staging perhaps the biggest comeback in pop music history with the release of Thriller, it was Farrah Fawcett who was having an impact on my life. Her red swimsuit poster was a must have for any red blooded American boy. She was just the epitome of the 70's. There was a down-to-earthed-ness about her that was incredibly attractive, not to mention her stunning natural beauty and a hairstyle that defined a generation. She just screamed feminity in an unapologetic and incredibly un-slutty manner. A rare combination in today's world. I was very gratified to read that she received the sacrament of annointing just prior to her death. That simple yet powerful gift of God's grace.
2 prominent icons of my youth left the earth today and with them, a little bit of me left as well. Mostly in the form of realizing that this life is fleeting and we can be called out of it anytime He wills it. Make the most of each day. We only get to take with us what we have given away to each other in love. The most precious gift we have to give away is ourselves. I'm going to make an increased effort to do just that, with the help of God's infinite love, mercy and Grace.
Knight all.