Surreal week

I'm still trying to grapple with all of the people who have passed away over the last few weeks.

We've had friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

There have been numerous stars. I have not looked it up and am not looking it up right now but have always known to be true that when a 'star' passes away, it happens in 3's.

Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson...and it has continued all week long.....

Now, Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett were expected.

Michael Jackson definitely not expected. I'm still stunned and in a fog I think not totally grasping this occurrence.

I know people who totally went to pieces over MJ's death. I grew up with his music my entire life. I personally thought he was a musical genius and contributed to the history of pop music as we know it today. God gave Michael Jackson and his entire family numerous gifts, which they utilized.

No matter how you feel about this man and the 'tabloid stories' which followed him around, his talent should not be denied.

I do have a problem, maybe just a small problem, with tying the word 'tragic' or 'tragedy' to his passing.

Don't get me wrong, it's awful. Yet another negative scenario in this entertainer's life and legacy. However, we as a people overuse or misuse certain words. The first one that pops to mind is 'love.' I 'love my husband' or 'I love pizza' or 'I love my dog.'

When I think of 'tragedy' I think of 9/11. I think of a plane full of 157 people crashing into the ocean. I think of a small child getting kidnapped, missing for 6 years, and no sign of hope that she will ever be found.

Maybe it's my faith and relationship with God, but I believe everything happens for a reason and we are put on this earth by God with a mission and when that mission is complete, we go back up to our maker.

We may never know just 'what that mission may be' but have to believe.

As finite people, when someone dies, especially at a young age, we can't imagine why that happens.

We have to believe.

In the words of Michael, 'If you'd only believe.'