Jami Explains "Memorial"

I have to admit, I didn't watch the Michael Jackson memorial. The honest-to-goodness truth is that I'd grown fairly disgusted with it long before it even started. I have to admit, I haven't really been a fan of the man since the 80's, but I think had I actually been really into him and his music, this would have turned my stomach all the more. When I saw them talking about dress rehearsals and all the celebrities who wanted to perform, that's when I started to think this would be less funeral and more concert. Maybe those who watched it can correct me, and I hope so. I actually read a couple reviews which seemed to indicate that mostly only people who actually knew him sang or spoke, and I hope that's the case. At a memorial service, any music should be something that was meaningful to the person, and hopefully sung by someone who is paying their respects to a loved one, not trying to get their face on international TV. If you admired Michael, but weren't actually acquainted with him, and want to pay tribute to him, you do that on your own time. Funerals are for family and friends to say goodbye. To say anything they need to say and move to the next part of the grieving process. I read about Paris, Michael's 11-year-old, speaking very briefly and I thought "She gets it." All these thousands of people who wanted to get into the Staples Center, the person I saw on CNN saying "I have the hottest ticket in town", the one who said "This is a once-in-a-lifetime event" and the several reporters who talked about the excitement and anticipation in the air - you didn't get it. That little girl and her brothers are saying goodbye to their dad. That's what it's about. Not about who is there and what they are wearing or singing. Not about how many people are trying to get in, or have traveled from X just hoping to get close to the event. Not even about the gold coffin. It's about the grieving loved ones, and their final farewell. Massive kudos to Elizabeth Taylor, someone who I believe actually knew and loved Michael, not just his fame. In a super-classy move, she explained that her friendship and goodbye would be private and just between her and Michael, as it had been in life. As the Husband pointed out, Taylor comes from an era where celebrities actually tried to maintain some dignity and class, and even though her life has not been without scandal, Taylor's decision to eschew this public spectacle elevates her, at least in my opinion.