I can’t even believe it’s possible. I still think it’s a publicity stunt for his new tour. I fully expect for him to pop up somewhere or to learn that it was just one of his clones that passed away. How many people imitated this man? Every known major pop performer in the world at least. It has to be an imitator right? Why can’t this be an imitator?

Some part of my own life has passed away. I don’t think I’m alone in this feeling. There is this sense of mortality when one who seems so immortal passes away. Remember his concerts in the 80s-90s? Live from Bucharest? My God! Men and women, boys and girls fainted cold looking at him. There is no man on this planet that had that level of power in my life. They say Elvis and the Beatles had it, but not in my lifetime. Michael Jackson was the closest thing to a living god we’ve ever seen in our lifetimes.

I remember his court cases–any public appearance–he was always followed by a huge entourage of SUVs trailing him from the beginning of his trip to the end of it. The moment he appeared from inside the darkened cavern he was worshipped. In some ways, we see these superstars as immortal. They aren’t supposed to die. Even now, as I write this, Michael is dancing across my TV screen as he always has. And he will keep dancing and singing.

When I first heard he was in the hospital, I told my daughter that there will be a throng outside the hospital playing his songs and praying for him. There was. When I heard he died, I didn’t believe it anymore than anyone else did. I still don’t. Michael’s promoting his tour. Watch. Ticket sales will go through the roof!

Weeks will pass and we will still not believe it. We will sing his songs and watch his videos and have him just as close to us as he’s always been. And someone will inevitably ask, “what does this mean?” It means we’re all mortal–stars or not. Today we witnessed a supernova–we will feel its effects for years to come. We will miss you Michael.

T.R. Locke