I was a huge fan of Michael Jackson in middle school through college. It was, in my own passive way, my "teenage rebellion", since being a fan of his during this time (95 and on) was not considered the coolest thing ever to say the least. I've since become less a fan and more of just a passive appreciator of his music, but I can't deny what kind of impact his music had on my life.

Now he's dead, and... well, I dunno. If this had happened 6 years ago, I would be hysterical and crying and probably do dozens of "In Memory" fan art pictures of him. As of now, my only real concern is what is going to happen with his kids (11, 10, and 5 years old) who as far as I know were totally abandoned by their respective moms. What'll happen to them?

No one can argue the man sort of went a little crazy towards the end, and he's been having health issues - both genuine and possibly self inflicted - for years. But he created some fantastic music and has made a lasting impact on the music world. It's no fluke that people in every corner of the world know his work. I remember seeing a news feature when we first liberated Afganistan, how they could finally listen to music and were bringing out their hidden cassette tape collections, and ALL of them had at least one Michael Jackson album.

My guess is he will be remembered like Elvis is, as two separate entities; one as the "freak" plastic woman-man all too interested in hanging out with kids, and the other as the uniquely talented musician and dancer renowned throughout the world. The media's playing nice now, but I wonder which image in the end will dominate.

We took him for granted while he was here, and now that he's died believing he was alone and despised as a "wacko", it's too late to tell him what he and his music meant.

RIP, Michael. I wish I could thank you for giving us amazing music while you could. You will be missed.