Happy Birthday, Michael

August 29th has come and gone and Michael would have been 51. I remember last year, on his 50th birthday, talking to Mom about how I just couldn't believe that my Michael was actually 50. To me, he seemed like someone who would never reach that pivotal age; this transcendent, magical human being that would always be with the fans who loved him most. Now, on his 51st birthday, it's so surreal to know that his human life has ended, even though his heart lives on. Even though I had never met this man, I had always hoped to. And the influence his life had on my life is so great that now that he's gone, it just makes me want to continue to strive to heal the world in any small way, starting with the man in the mirror.

On Saturday BET played non-stop Michael documentaries, some of which I had seen before, others I had not. On one particular episode celebrities that had worked with Michael, were friends with him, etc, were interviewed. One person's comments in particular touched me deeply, maybe because I was feeling something of the same thing. Fonzworth Bentley from Outkast had been touched by Michael, just like so many millions of people around the world. He last comments about Michael were something to the effect of: "When Michael went to Heaven, he made a deal with God. If he was gonna have to leave Earth, and everyone he loved, then could God grant him one thing? Since Michael could no longer share his gift with the world, could God send a piece of Michael into each of his songs, this way his fans would always have a part of Michael to enjoy. And God granted him that wish."

While that's not exactly how Fonzworth stated his sentiment, I hope you can understand the deep meaning behind the thought. It's hard for me to articulate to someone else how deeply these words effected me, or how truly I believe them. The love and support for Michael these past few months is heartwarming and I firmly believe he is smiling, blushing, and speechless over all the attention.

May your birthday in Heaven be glorious and may the heavenly choirs make way for the most glorious angel of all. Happy Birthday, Michael. Thank you for the inspiration you have given me and millions like me all over the world.

Fearless

August 9th my three cousins, Tammie, Kaycee, Chelsey, and I journeyed to Omaha, Nebraska, to see Taylor Swift in concert. Now, let me first say that I've always sort of had a "girl crush" on Taylor, ever since her first album. She's an amazing individual, but I would have to say she's become even more amazing with her second album and how much she's grown. Not only has she grown as a artist, but her message to the fans has become stronger as well. Ever since her second album came out, titled "Fearless" I have been in love with the title track. At the beginning of her Fearless concert, Taylor put together a video montage of different people, including her, voicing their ideas of what Fearless means (which was AWESOME!!) From the CD, this is what Fearless means to Taylor Swift:

To me, “FEARLESS” is not the absence of fear. It’s not being completely unafraid.
To me, FEARLESS is having fears.
FEARLESS is having doubts. Lots of them.
To me, FEARLESS is living in spite of those things that scare you to death.
FEARLESS is falling madly in love again, even though you’ve been hurt before.
FEARLESS is walking into your freshmen year of high school at fifteen.
FEARLESS is getting back up and fighting for what you want over and over again… even though every time you’ve tried before, you’ve lost.
It’s FEARLESS to have faith that someday things will change.
FEARLESS is having the courage to say goodbye to someone who only hurts you, even if you can’t breathe without them.
I think it’s FEARLESS to fall for your best friend, even though he’s in love with someone else.
And when someone apologizes to you enough times for things they’ll never stop doing, I think it’s FEARLESS to stop believing them.
It’s FEARLESS to say “you’re NOT sorry”, and walk away.
I think loving someone despite what people think is FEARLESS.
I think allowing yourself to cry on the bathroom floor is FEARLESS.
Letting go is FEARLESS.
Then, moving on and being alright…That’s FEARLESS too.
But no matter what love throws at you, you have to believe in it. You have to believe in love stories and Prince Charmings and happily ever after. That’s why I write these songs. Because I think love is FEARLESS.



Here's what FEARLESS means to me:

FEARLESS is believing in love, always, everyday. No matter how hard it is or how much it hurts.
FEARLESS is staying true to your core set of beliefs, when so many times it would be easier to make up easier beliefs as you go….
FEARLESS is loving Michael Jackson for the man he was and the inspiration he has been in my life, even though many people choose not to understand that love.
FEARLESS is not judging others, but taking the time to know them.
FEARLESS is not planning a future even though society screams, “Get a job, get married, have kids!!!”, but instead following your heart, one unpredictable step at a time.
FEARLESS is trusting that God knows what He’s doing. He took enough time to make you, there was obviously a reason, and eventually you’ll find your own beautiful place in this world.
FEARLESS is striving to make friends by yourself, instead of letting them find you.
FEARLESS is believing in LIFE, believing in LOVE, and believing in YOURSElF.