Dear Michael Jackson,

It's still hard to believe you're no longer with us. I feel you were taken far too soon, but at the same time I can't imagine you growing old. It's complicated. How do I put this? Impossible as it is, it seemed like you would live forever. I know I sound crazy.

Finding out that you had passed away was a real 'where were you when...?' kind of moment. I was on the train, it was around a quarter to 9. The lady sitting behind me was on the phone and I was eavesdropping. "Did you hear about Michael Jackson?" she said. "Sad, isn't it?" I instantly became curious and took my BlackBerry out of my bag. There was an SMS waiting in my inbox from my mom. "Is it true that Michael Jackson is gone?" My eyes widened and my shoulders tensed, the way they do when I get startled. I entered your name into Google and as it loaded, I hoped and hoped and hoped that it was just a terrible hoax...but no. The first result was a news article confirming your death. Reading this paragraph back to myself, I find it quite amusing how technology has changed the way we receive news. The news article was published just 30 minutes before I read it. It was eerie to find out about your passing just an hour or so after it actually happened. It makes me wonder when and how I would have found out if I hadn't overheard that conversation, received that text or read that online article.

Back on topic, the impact you had on the music world is extraordinary. There really is no one like you! It's sad that your death had to be the one thing that reminded us of your musical greatness. Countless radio stations, tv shows, shops are playing your music now and while that's great, we should have been listening to your music everyday! I'm watching your live performances and seriously, no one sounds like you, no one moves like you, no one makes people emotional the way you did. So many fans cried, screamed their lungs out and fainted at your concerts, even if you were just standing there doing nothing. Hahaha. And your wonderful songs and music videos... I'll never forget watching them on rage on Saturday mornings. I was amazed at how you turned into sand in 'Remember The Time' and I enjoyed Macaulay Culkin's cameo in 'Black or White' (I think I had a tiiiny crush on him back then, hahaha). And when I think about the film Free Willy, 'Will You Be There' and 'Human Nature' come to mind. (Yeah, both. I guess it's kind of a remix in my head. :P ) The only video I didn't really like was 'Thriller'. The end scared the shit out of me. One day, my dad came home with the HIStory laserdisc and I couldn't even look at the back of the case because it had a still of you and your scary eyes on it. :P

I hope you forgive me for spreading one of those stupid playground jokes about you back in primary school. The one that went 'What did Michael Jackson sing to his credit card? You are not alone, I am plastic too...' And, uh, forgive me for snickering while thinking about it just then. The way you handled the taunts and accusations in your life was extraordinary, too. I'm the kind of person who'll burst into tears at the slightest insult.. while every day you were ridiculed, called extremely hurtful names and were accused of despicable acts. But you never let them get the best of you- you brushed off the names, you maintained your innocence and kept on living each day you had. You were an obviously vulnerable person, an easy target, but they showed no mercy- they just kept on beating you into the ground. How unfortunate that they chose to ignore your charitable deeds and instead did what they could to convince people you were a monster. As your brother Marlon said in your memorial service today, "maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone."

I have the pleasure of being able to say that we were once in the same vicinity... when I was a foetus. HAHAHA. My mother told me that you were here in Sydney, in November 1987. Back then, she was living with her parents and siblings. They (my mom, my aunties and uncles) found out you were performing at Parramatta Stadium, so they ran there all the way from their home in Harris Park. They didn't have tickets but they were happy enough to stay outside, as long as they could hear you. November 1987 was about four months before I was born, so I was still in the oven, so to speak. Even though I wasn't really counted as a part of the world yet, I was alive. I know I'm reaching and it sounds kind of pathetic, but I just get a kick out of knowing we were once in the same place.

I doubt there will ever be an entertainer as amazing as you were. You really are the greatest that ever lived. I'm still coming to terms with the fact that you're not coming back.. I hope you're in Heaven and that you can see just how many people are devastated by your passing. Sorry that it took your death for us to show the love and appreciation you deserved while you were alive.

Thanks for the memories.

Rest In Peace.