I sit here and even as I type, debate whether or not to continue blogging about this topic. We heard about the death of The King of Pop on June 25th of this year. On that same day, hours earlier, we heard about the death of America's Angel. These two deaths shook the bedrock of modern culture and have since then been exploited and blown up all over the major and minor news networks. I wonder if this post is just further exploitation of such a tortured yet beloved artist, and a sweet and brave actress. I wonder if hypocracy looms over me, reminding me of my many complaints about the incessant news stories, the merchandise worth pocket change sold for paycheck amounts simply because it related to Michael Jackson or Farrah Fawcett. I wonder if I have the right to discuss this, and if I can really do all that occured, justice. I'm not sure, but I'll try.I was dusting shelves at the salon I work at, drifting in and out between the conversations between my boss and her customers and the radio that seems to constanly have an input in the small shop. Everything was normal. I was tired and slightly annoyed, grasping a Windex bottle and a towel in my hand. The morning had just begun and had been uneventful until a somber voice rang out in shock and disbelief from the radio that had been everpresent yet nonintustive on our emotions, thoughts or feelings."Farrah Fawcett, after fighting with anal cancer since 2006 has passed away. She was pronouced dead at Saint John's Health Center at 9:28 this morning ."
Ladies gasped and were sad all the way through their appointments, to their way out the door. They spoke about her kindness, beauty and impact on today's society. They complimented her strength and all agreed that the pain she went through was nearly unimaginable. They remebered her work in Charlie's Angels, how she always stuck out as the fan favorite, and how desired she was by so many men, and envied by so many women.It was sad, to see such an icon, such an everpresant force, slowly falling apart and eventually wilting under the pressure of such a horrible disease.Later, I would turn on my televsion and find out just how strong she really was. She went through amazing highs and lows, being told that she would live and then months later that she would die. She would travel to Germany for treatments, and undergo massive amounts of chemotherapy. On April 6, 2009 it was reported to the world that her cancer had metastasized, or spread, to her liver. Still, she smiled. She would continue to do battle with the disease, but kept a sense of humor until the very end. She was an angel, that even in her darkest times, emitted a beautiful light that refused to be extinguished.Still, my day went on. Ladies came in talking about Farrah and how sad it was. I would nod and agree each time they brought it up, but through the hours, conversation turned once again to other things. I had moved on to something new, and so had the station that had earlier delivered such sad news to my small salon. I had no idea that what they would then decide to talk about would be so shattering."Michael Jackson has died, " a lady on the radio said, silencing a room of chatty women with a silence so thick and thourough it was suffocating. "He reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest. After an hour of resusitacion efforts, he was pronounced dead at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center at 2:26 this afternoon. We'll bring you more on this as information becomes avalible."
We froze there, shocked. Two amazing people, both so beautifully souled and inspirational to millions, had been torn from in a matter of hours.Some then wiped away tears, others just remained shocked and silent. We spent the rest of the afternoon listening to his music; His music that painted beautifully worded art in the minds of millions.In the days that followed we would learn all the details.We would learn about Dr. Conrad Murray's irresponsible behavior, we would watch the investigations unfold, we would learn about the superstar's dangerous uses of Zoloft, Soma, Vicodin, Xanax, and the powerful painkiller Demerol. We would then see first hand the pain felt around the world.His memorial was held on July 7th. Thousands of people watched, including myself, and many wept tears stemming from a deep sorrow that many of us didn't know we had inside. It was nostalgia, hope, and the fall of an immortal-like figure that died with him.Not only were these deaths a cruel shake to our realities, but a cruel reminder of what fame can do to a sweet and talanted boy from Gary, Indiana. Yet, it also reminded us of strength in the public eye, optomism through pain, and the value of being positive. It reminded us of the troubles that child stars so often face, and the unfair wants thrust upon them. It showed us that a beautiful angel on the screen can be so much to everyone watching. It showed us the story of a soft spoken, hardworking, and innocent boy transformed into a scared and confused man. It showed us the danger rooted in the media's adoration, but also how that same dangerous love affair can raise awareness about a painful disease.Now, we all have to mourn. We have to get involved. We have to realize that if we all work, we can eventually find a cure to cancer, and we can reach out to those who need it the most. We can reach out and be kind to the abused and hurt children in and out of the spotlight. Most of all though, we now have to mourn the loss of our King and our beautifully strong Angel.
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