Inspirational Thoughts: Letter to Michael Jackson

Dear Michael Jackson,

I never thought I would come to this point of writing you a letter. I know you because you are famous. Who wouldn’t know the King of Pop, Michael Jackson? I know some of your music and your songs. But I don’t really know you, do I? I would still consider you to be a stranger in many sense of the word.

And yet here I am prodded to write you a letter. I honestly felt strange the first time this thought came into my mind and I brushed it aside as quickly as it came in. But today the prodding has come back more intensely this time. There have been many moments in my life when I followed my instincts and before I change my mind, I find myself writing my thoughts and reflections. So here I am.

Last June 25, 2009, Cebu Philippines, I still remember giving an orientation to the parents in our preschool. After that, I had to rush to a very important gathering. It was my dad’s birthday. I don’t get to celebrate my dad’s birthday a lot because I’ve been away from home since I was around eight years old. So a celebration like this particular birthday was important to me. And I was running late. But it didn’t matter that I was late, I was just happy to be there at the end of my day, grateful to have had the chance to celebrate his birthday with my brothers and their wives and some of our relatives.

The following day he was on his way back home to my mom. And that’s when the news of your death came. It’s still June 25 on your side of the world. This struck me…the cycle of life – one moment celebrating a birthday and the next, hearing the news of your passing away. Life has many of those moments. How many times have we grieved while others are celebrating the birth of a newborn son or daughter? Is it unfair? Is life cruel? As tough as it may seem, esp. to those who are left behind, it made me realize that we constantly face the truth of the cycle of life -- birth and death.

The past weeks have been filled with news about you and your kids and everything in between. I’ve observed how people have reacted. There were those who grieved and mourned for you just as there were those who scorned and mocked you. People talked about you a lot! Many stories about you came up and varying opinions are brought forth here and there.

As I listened to these stories and watched the memorial in honor of you, I couldn’t help but reflect some more.

Whether it is Michael Jackson, the King of Pop singing and dancing or making music; or a mother cradling a baby in her arms; or a teacher passionately teaching her students, we all have a different gift to share to the world. This gift shared with love and passion can ignite many people to find the light within them and share that gift too. You are one of those who have inspired many. Your passion clearly shone through and your gift of music has wrought changes in people’s lives.

Some years ago, during our culminating program the preschool kids sang “Heal the World” for our grand finale. You should have seen our kids! I was proud of each one of them. I still remember being on that stage with our teachers and the kids singing their hearts out, “Heal the world, make it a better place, for you and for me and the entire human race. There are people dying, if we care enough for the living, make a better place for you and for me.” As we all sang those words, I was teary-eyed. It resonated within me the desire to make the world a better place from where I was and it affected me deeply.

I believe that if for one moment in time, you have been touched by an inspiration, moved beyond words to do something great or to love more, encouraged and uplifted out of despair, and being awakened to see who you truly are, that person have just shared with you a gift. This I tell you Michael Jackson, you have given to many that gift.

This reflection came to me when I heard the varying voices of people commenting who you are in their eyes. And it dawned on me that it’s the people closest to us who truly know us. When I wrote about my dear friend Dayzeebee in my hub “Driving Miss Daisy Crazy,” I felt the same thing. Most people label her as someone who is intimidating and strict trainer/director, but in our friendship I know her as someone who has a very tender and loving heart, playful and laughs at my silliness and has dreams like everyone else.

I’ve heard several people share their stories about the wonderful moments they have had with you. And I may not know you but these stories again resonate within me. Why? For me stories that show the goodness of each person are something to celebrate. Stories that came from your family and friends to those who work for you and with you and these stories show that you are such a caring and sweet person. Now Michael, there are also stories about you that were not so nice and when I listened to those, I frowned and asked, “Could that be true?” And that is why the statement came again with such force, “The people closest to you are the ones who truly know you.”

I have to laugh though when people commented that Paris and Prince and Blanket and the many speculations about them maybe even not being your children. Personally I was thinking, “What difference would it make?” You were their daddy and that’s it. Is it not the same as those who have decided to adopt a child? Does the nationality matter or where they originated from?

When the curtains are closed and the lights are out, it is exactly the very people closest to us who really knows us deep down and we rejoice when we discover that they love us anyway – imperfections and all. As I am writing this, I am very much aware of the wonderful combination of complexities that reside in each one of us – the faults and the weaknesses we all have along with the glorious and beautiful spirit as well.

When I was little girl, I would ask God why did people fight and hate each other? I was always asking God “Why?” like “Why are material things more important than relationships?” or “Why do we have different color and race and religion?” There were so many things I wanted to understand but couldn’t. And through the years, some of the questions have been answered as new ones emerged. But one thing I discovered was that we are all connected to each other. No matter what kind of house or mansion or a palace we lived in, or what work we do, we have within us the similarities as well as the differences.

How many of us have experienced fear, worry, anxiety, doubts, facing lonely nights, the yearning to feel needed and loved, the desire to find our life’s purpose, the joy found in warm and caring relationships, the longing to be happy? The list goes on and on. I believe that in one way or the other, we all experience many similarities in feelings and emotions even if the circumstances may be different.

It is true! We all go through the pain and sorrow as well as the joy and hope found in life.

If we are able to recognize how connected we all are, we would stop judging one another and instead show compassion and mercy and empathy and extend a hand whenever it is needed.

Many people were touched when Paris spoke up about missing you and you being the best daddy in the world. That moment made you “human” in the eyes of the people. You were not just this public famous figure or the King of Pop…you were daddy. I got teary eyed actually because I could feel the raw emotion coming from her as she spoke those words. That spoke a lot about your relationship with your children.

The last reflection came to me that at the end of the day, what really matters after all is the knowing how much we have loved and experienced that love in return. No amount of money or fame can ever replace love. I truly hope Michael that you have experienced that beautiful love from the people closest to you. Even if you or your life was not perfect in the eyes of the world, I hope the love you’ve had gave you enough solace, comfort and joy.

Little Michael Jackson, I just want to let you know how proud I am of you for sharing your gift of music to the world. It is a beautiful and magnificent gift. You were in your element when you expressed yourself through singing and dancing and creating. And guess what? Even if you are no longer here, your music lives on. It’s okay. There is nothing to fear now. Go into the light. There you are free to dance, to sing, to remove your masks and just be yourself. Nothing there can harm you. Feel the love that surrounds you. Breathe deeply the warmth and care that you yearn for. All is well. Go into the light. God awaits you. You are loved.

Love and Light,

Michelle Simtoco

July 11, 2009

After i finished this letter, I felt it was more of a prayer for him more than anything else. I thought it was enough and decided not to publish it. Later, I realized that it was for all of us too who may have forgotten one way or the other how special we all are. That we all needed to be accepted and loved for who we are. 

That night, I chanced upon a thread on Hubpages forum where AEvans wrote about her husband being a close friend of the Jackson's family. I wrote to her and told her that I felt impelled to share the letter with her. I got an email from a few days later saying they had forwarded this to the Jackson's family. I was very much surprised and blessed by it.

Today, July 23, 2009, I have felt the prodding again to share this letter here. So here I am sharing my reflections and thoughts. My heart feels lighter now. I do not judge you Michael Jackson and I pray I will not judge any other person in this world. We all make choices and we live by these choices. May we all continue to learn from each other on how to live a more loving and abundant life. Thank you Michael Jackson. Go into the light and may God's peace be with you.

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