MJ

I was at Emma's swim meet when I heard the news. My first thought was of my friend, T, and all of the great times we had with Michael Jackson. My second thought was, He's free. He's finally free. I assumed at first, sadly, that it had been a suicide and was shocked to hear that it was his heart. It's like his heart broke one last time.

I watched the memorial service today and was sad, of course, but not weeping and wailing.

Until that is, his daughter, Paris, spoke in a pure from the heart unscripted moment. Then I lost it. Those poor kids. Losing a loved one suddenly can really do a number on you. I know.

I have felt ambivalent about MJ for years now. It was one of those situations where you heard the rumors, didn't want to believe them, but still feared them to be true. And then we were left never really knowing for sure the truth of the situation.

But I have to believe after hearing his daughter speak today, that he indeed was a loving father and that he didn't and couldn't harm children. That he was just eccentric and it caused unusual behavior and, in turn, he was misunderstood.

Whatever the truth is, it's between him and God now. And none of that changes the fact that he was a huge, happy part of my childhood and I'll always remember him for that. The guy could perform!

Thanks MJ. Rest in peace.