Today is the worst day I’ve had in a very, very long time. I started out my day with a text that Farrah Fawcett had succumbed to her battle with cancer. I couldn’t believe it, I remember watching her on Charlie’s Angels and wishing that my curly dark hair could feather the way her blond frosted hair did - but knowing that it never would. Today we lost a icon of 1970s beauty and my heart goes out to her friends and family.

A few hours later I read that Michael Jackson passed away. Michael Jackson, was a tremendous part of my childhood, as he was for many kids growing up in the 80s. One of the first records I got as a kid was Thriller and I remember listening to it everyday. Whenever one of his new videos came out, I would get so excited. I remember when the Thriller video came out - I couldn’t wait to see it and I was so scared! But, I couldn’t stop watching. And the Billie Jean video! Those illuminating tiles and the infamous intro with his hat and the head tilt - it always got me.

I would watch the videos over and over on MTV and I would practice the dances - the tippy toe move, the “Beat It” Dance, the “Thriller” dance, and of course, the Moon Walk. I really wanted a red zipper leather jacket but that wasn’t happening. To appease me, my grandmother made me a white glove that she covered in sequins by hand. And you know I was wearing it when I was practicing my Michael Jackson moves.

Michael Jackson was an icon, consummate entertainer, and music legend. I feel like a little bit of my childhood passed away with MJ today. His music will live on as we remember him. My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.