Reflections on Growing up with Michael Jackson (By Mallika Chopra)

I can't help but thank you, along with your father and your brother, for sharing these personal perspectives. It must have been wonderful growing up with Michael. Your words have helped me process this untimely loss of our dear friend, the kind soul that was Michael Jackson.

I found your article to be so beautiful, well spoken!! I think it is a sad time here. Such a great man has lefted us. I think too many times we assume things about someone. Judge someone on how they look on the outside versus the inside. Often when we have never even personally met someone too. We take rumours to be 100% true. One thing that I strongly believe is that many of the nasty things that the gossip magazines pritned about Micheal wasn't true. I had a wonderful conservation with my Australian penpal Jim & he had told me a story about a young Aussie boy who was a big fan of Micheal & always would get tickets to whereever Micheal was playing in AUstralia. Micheal heard about it & invited him & his sister to Neverland. They spent six weeks there. Micheal was a class act & perfect gentleman. They didn't see anything strange or weird going on there either. This was in the late 80s or early 90s by the way.

This is very heartwarming to read. While I believed a lot of what was written about Michael over the years, I now want to believe that he was truly misunderstood...and I think that is probably the case. I have had many emotions since hearing of Michael's passing as well. I grew up with him in another way, through his music...we are almost the same age. It's sad to see what some people are saying about him, people that never knew him, but feel qualified to judge. I hope his children are safe and well-cared for and don't have to live through what he did...I hope they can somehow have a semblance of a 'normal' life. He was a brilliant musician and childlike soul, it's so unfortunate that he seemed tormented despite his wealth and fame.

Thank you for this article. Michael Jackson didn't have a normal childhood, however, he made sure that through his music, humanitarian actions, millions and millions of people all around the world would have one. I don't think he ever realized how strong of an impact he had in the lives of so many. He was truly a misunderstood soul and because he was always willing to perceive everything from a positive perspective, his heart was broken when those allegation came out.

I truly don't want to be in the shoes of those people who brought out those false accusations. If they have even the slightest sense of decency or if some sense have come into their minds since then, they will regret their actions till the end of their lives.

He will always be remembered not only as the King of Pop but the Man who touched so many through his soul and good intentions.

R.I.P Michael

Thank-you for for your beautiful statement on Michael Jackson. I'm still in shock that he is gone from this earth. Having lost my own son my prayers go out to his mother and children but also to everyone of us that was touched by his music. I almost feel as though a part of myself has gone with Michael. It's hard for me to explain but the pain is very real. It's so sad that we can't appreciate someone while they are still here with us. My heart breaks when I think of the pain he went through I only hope now he can really Rest in Peace and we can know that we have lost a truly exceptional person. I feel blessed having grown up being able to enjoy his talent from the beginning.
Thank-you again

I saw Sieda Garrett singing "Man In The Mirror" at a church service tribute to Michael on the 30th on T.V. and I started to cry. Thank you for sharing your memories of Michael with us Millika. He seemed like he was such a joy to be around, which I figured he would be. I just wish I had gotten a chance to meet him or even see him. I not only listened to his music but I loved to hear him talk and tried to catch every program pertaining to him, there was something about his voice that captivated me everytime I heard it. He was such a beautiful person to me. I miss him a lot. May God bless and watch over his family and his children, and may he rest in peace.