Loving You

29 August 1958 - 25 June 2009

Today feels different, because it’s your birthday. If you were still here, you would be turning 67. That also means it has been nearly 17 years since you left us. Seventeen years… and yet, the ache of missing you hasn’t changed at all.

I found myself thinking about you more than usual today. I wore a shirt with your picture, hoping it would bring me closer to you somehow. I had a slice of cake, and while I savored it, I wondered how you would be celebrating if you were still here.

Maybe you’d be surrounded by your children—maybe even more of them by now. Maybe you would have fulfilled that beautiful dream of adopting two children from every continent. I know birthdays were never your favorite thing, but you would still celebrate—for your fans, for your friends, for your family.

I can almost picture the smile on your face as you read all the messages of love, all the affection pouring your way. You were, and you still are, so deeply loved, Michael. Wherever you are, I hope you can feel that love reaching you.

I will love you forever, my Applehead.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MICHAEL! 

🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂

KING OF POP FOREVER.