Remembering the Best in the Worst of Times

After reflecting on the deaths of three of our nation's largest talents, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson, it is clear that we, the American public, place a lot of value on our Hollywood icons.  They are the royalty of our society and, right or wrong, it's always a sad event to see them go.  It just so happened that these three in particular were huge symbols of U.S. society and played an enormous part in the lives of almost every American; it has been a very sad week indeed.  Suddenly, three of the seminal contributors to pop culture of the 60's, 70s and 80s are gone.

Theses three individuals were only human but many of us placed a high value on what they did, how they looked and simply the personas and societal changes they represented.  I'm sure you remember, "Heeere's Johnny," or Michael Jackson's white glove and "moonwalk."  And I know that back in the 1970s, many of you pasted that Farrah Fawcett poster on your bedroom wall. 

I'm not aware if any of you actually knew them personally - I did not.  I knew them only from their press releases, television programs or their music just like the rest of the American masses.  But it was almost as if we all, in fact, knew each one of them intimately. Am I right?  Each of them represented happier times in our lives; times when we were younger and probably had fewer concerns and worries. Maybe we were even better off financially during their heydays but one thing is for sure, the thoughts we had of these three extraordinary people almost certainly made us happy this week but also made us sad when we unexpectedly remembered they are gone forever. 

The human "icons" that society chooses offer us a personal compass that guides the daily course of our existence both in good times and in bad times.  But especially in bad times; it makes us forget our troubles, if even for a moment.  During the Great Depression of the1930s, people would gather around the radio to listen to their favorite singer or one of their western heroes live an existence they couldn't.  The game Monopoly was developed during that period of time and gave the people "money" to wheel and deal with; while remembering better times and forgetting what they were living through at that particular moment. I guess these unique people and the pop culture they create are distractions that allow us to carry on with our daily lives.  A way for us to be happy and content because our thoughts are diverted watching them perform; if even for a moment.

Who hasn't imagined themselves as one of these "stars," possessing lots of money and fame?  But you must stop for a second and remember who you are and what your personal value system is based upon.  Most of these icons can't do the same things you and I do; not even the simplest of things.  Michael Jackson, for instance, couldn't possibly go out in public for the fear of being mobbed.  Imagine a life of not even being able to go down to the grocery store when you needed something.  His world made him a prisoner in our world.  Money and fame seemed to degrade his life while enriching ours. 

Michael Levine, who was once Michael Jackson's publicist, told the press at the announcement of Jackson's death that he wasn't surprised.  His exact comment was, "Michael has been on an impossibly difficult and often self-destructive journey for years. His talent was unquestionable but so too was his discomfort with the norms of the world. A human simply can not withstand this level of prolonged stress.'' 

We just have no idea what these unique individuals lived through for what they ultimately achieved.  Ed McMahon had major financial difficulties during the last years of his life and Farrah Fawcett's son is currently in prison and was not able to be there when his mother died.  Very sad stories indeed.

No matter who you are or what you do, the choices you make in this world affect you and those around you.  Maybe not to the extreme of Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, or Ed McMahon but your personal value system is the most important intrinsic possession you have to build a suitable life.  We hope there is some success involved in the choices you make but, as we've seen this week, the definition of success can vary with the person. And as Bob Hope (another one of our legendary icons) used to say - Thanks for the Memory.