Last Thursday, 10 February, was the 58th anniversary of the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Bill, an incredible change of rules during this era. You probably don’t know about that anniversary- because there was virtually no mention of this anywhere.
And, given the propensity of our government to play ‘Calendar Roulette’, there was no mention that this past Saturday was Lincoln’s birth date 213 years ago. Given the propensity of both parties to claim his mantle, I found that omission surprising. as well. Instead, the news was still reverberating with the death of various stars and starlets.
Which made me counter those thought by another death in the pop music world- that of Michael Jackson. Another soul with much promise, yet a squandered life replete with drugs of a different sort and perhaps, some other problems. MJ died at 50, 13 years ago. (I know there are many others I could add to this list; I’m not except for perhaps Whitney Houston.)
What brought him into focus were his “theme” songs. Michael had written “We are the world” at 27, but the song- in my mind- that epitomized his life was written for him- “The Man in the Mirror” by Ballard and Garret, when he was 40. (By the way, the song that epitomized Frank Sinatra- My Way- was also written for (and not by) him- literally- by Paul Anka, when he was 52.)
So, on this Valentine’s Day, think about your life. Where you are going. Where you want to be.
Are you able to “heed that certain call”? Help insure that “the world must come together as one”? Or will you be singing “Didn’t we almost have it all?” or “Bittersweet memories, that is all I’m taking with me”?
Isn’t it time to be “looking at the man [or woman] in the mirror”? “If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change…” Because, by now, your thoughts should be “I learned to depend on me”.
We really are rooting for you- and you- and you- and, hopefully, me to…
Develop and complete your valentine to the world…
Lyrics:
Happy Valentine’s Day to y’all.
I like this thought! And it’s true — we are still trying to make more changes in the world on our end. We are still trying to finish all of our paperwork to become foster parents again. You have to pick the changes you can make and that is one we can work on…
But — I never liked “We Are The World”! I am bad, aren’t I? LOL
And “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” was ruined for me because I went to a talent show and a contestant destroyed it! I don’t know why she thought she could sing Whitney! So that’s all I hear when I hear that song LOL
Dominique recently posted..Football Party Tips 2022
You don’t have to be bad- but I found the WATW theme song pretty enlightening. As did my kids. And, I sitll ahve the little picture book my eldest (she was about 6 at the time) made and shared with me and her younger sibling. I had just met Melissa Manchester who was part of the live contingent in Philly and my kids were entrhalled.