for you

+ for all the boys i knew that when we were growing up imitated and wanted to move like Michael Jackson.
+ for all the times we did Thriller in some classroom, park, or on some street corner.
+ for EVERY dancer who channels MJ in some way, and every great dancer and choreographer that clearly cites him as the reason why they believed they could dance...
+ for every time we play "Someday at Christmas" during the Holidays
+ for every Michael Jackson influenced routine I ever did
+ for that time Gina won best solo for her MJ impression
+ for everytime we sing his lyrics during everyday conversation (do you "remember the tiiiiime"?)
+ for every dance video breakdown!

you are a pop icon.
you were different, but we loved you anyways.
you will always be remembered.
you were a gift from God.

I don't dwell on the past, and after today I will just smile when you are mentioned. I don't know anyone in this world that wasn't hurt today. There are other things going on in the world yes, and you can't smell the flowers we send you anymore.

But you deserve respect. And you have our love. You will be missed.