First came the tearful phone call from my sister early one morning that relayed the sad message, “John Madden is retiring.” It felt like the end to a childhood tradition. No more falling asleep on cold autumn days to bushy eyebrows and nonsensical white TV marker thing, and not to mention, the soothing lullaby of John’s booming voice.
A while later came another call- “They’re tearing down Giants Stadium.” Ugh. Doesn’t mean much to people who didn’t grow up with it, but to the rest of us…down comes a place filled with memories of concerts, games, and again, a childhood tradition.
I recently heard the announcement that a ‘new’ Footloose is in the works, with Zac Efron as Ren. Initial reactions after dancing (by myself, in the kitchen) the “footloose dance” from ages past were 1) I cannot believe I am old enough to witness a ‘remake’ and 2) Zac Efron will never be as cool as Kevin Bacon. I believe I actually scoffed out loud at the idea.
We all know where this is leading. June 25, 2009. Car radio tells me that Michael Jackson has died. No, I didn’t know him personally, no, I don’t listen to his music every single day (like Bruce or something), yes, I watched him become stranger and stranger as time wore on. But come on….Michael Jackson is dead?
I remember putting the Thriller album on the record player, I saw Captain Eo in 3-D in 1986, I emulated dance moves throughout my life, I even danced to “Billy Jean is not my lover” in the middle of a circle at my wedding. I cry every time I hear “Man in the Mirror,” and I will never stop loving A-B-C and other early hits. I’ve seen the VH1 Jackson 5 documentary about 12 times, and I don’t even want to get into the conversations my college roommates and I frequently had about ‘MJ.’
I absolutely love music and dancing, and no matter how odd MJ became, watching him perform in any context was simply spell-binding. To be that talented is something at which I can only marvel.
Yesterday it happened again…I felt old. I felt like a chapter of my personal history had closed. I guess that is why I’m so sad MJ has passed on.
For all the Farrah lovers out there- my condolences to you as well.
And for those of you wondering…yes…we still own the vinyl Thriller album. It was curiously hidden wayyyyy back in my sister’s closet. Sister- have anything to say about that? I guess it is technically yours, but…
Sarah said,
June 26, 2009 @ 2:15 pm
we own? don’t recall you being tortured with math flashcards.. that mint condition thriller album with the poster inside was a bribe for learning my multiplication? tables. i did have to laugh last night when i realized i have that album on vinyl, tape, cd, mini-disk, and ipod- one can never have enough mj.