As most of the world viewed Michael Jackson’s funeral on TV, it was truly a larger than life experience for a larger than life entertainer.  It is really strange when a celebrity dies in this country.  I think people finally understand, “Hey we really all are human.  Death is going to happen to each one of us.” It is such a big deal to us because of the perceived joy and excitement they have brought to our lives.

But here is a news flash: celebrities are just normal people who have been given an extraordinary talent that they have used well.  They all crave the exact same things that we do love, family, and the support and respect of fans.  About a week someone did an interview with Michael Jackson and Jackson said, “He was a lonely man.”  A lonely man?  Wow!  You have three kids, a huge family, and millions of fans worldwide.  But in his mind, his basic needs as a human being were not being met.  For someone who had such an extraordinary life by everyone’s standards, he certainly wanted very ordinary things out of life.  These things are things that all of us take for granted in life until we do not have them anymore.

What courage it took for his young daughter to speak in front of 20,000 people and tell the world how she felt about her Dad.  It seemed genuine and heartfelt and if you think it is easy to speak in front of anybody in your time of suffering and grief, much less 20,000 people, then I am here to tell you it does not matter the amount of people it is just difficult.  Kudos to his daughter, it was absolutely a bold and courageous speech she gave.

Regardless of whether you liked Michael Jackson the person or not, it doesn’t matter.  What seperates Michael Jackson the entertainer from Michael Jackson the custodian is not much.  In the end we are all judged by the body of work we have completed in life.

The question I have for you today is: What will you be remembered for when the sun sets on your days?

Always a friend to listen,

Eric Tomei-author I Miss My Dad

Check out the I Miss My Dad fan page on facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/imissmydad

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Eric Tomei

Eric Tomei is a physical therapist residing in the metro Detroit area. He has a B.A. in Psychology, a B.S. in Health Sciences and a masters degree in physical therapy from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. I Miss My Dad…is his first book with the hopes of uniting everyone who has lost a Dad or loved one to share their stories. His mission is to let people know that they are not alone in dealing with the loss of a loved one and you will always have a friend to talk to. He has a passion for charity work as 15% of each book sold will be donated to Habitat for Humanity. His goal is to raise $1 million for this charity through donations and the sale of I Miss My Dad… Eric appeared on the radio show Healing the Grieving Heart with hosts Dr. Gloria & Dr. Heidi Horsley, to discuss Father’s Day Without a Father. To listen to this show, go to the following link: https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/39135/fathers-day-without-a-father-and-finding-success-in-your-life

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