Michael Jackson has played a tremendous role in my life for as long as i can remember. I dont even know where to begin. My earliest memories of him are the Moonwalker movie and Captain EO at Disney's "Tomorrowland." Just a week or so ago i was thinking how cool it would be to get married at Tommorowland (since i already hope for a Disneyland wedding). Today it seems like an even better idea. I've always loved the theme song from Captain EO "Another Part of Me." Its crazy to have heard that song at such a young age but I've always remembered it.

Moonwalker was and still is one of my favorite movies. Oh man! Remember when he was running from the bad guys and he turned into a car??? Wow that was the coolest thing when i was a kid. And during the "Smooth Criminal"  in that cream colored suit and fedora, when he leans forward defying gravity.... that was the best! Remember imitating it, trying to do it but you always fell? And you would shout "how did he do that?!" Watching him perform the Beatles "Come Together" at the end still gives me chills. It was such a powerful and sexy (yes he was sexy at times!) performance. My favorite favorite part was when the kids sang and danced to "Bad" and Brandon Adams played Mike. I had the biggest crush on him!

I was on the dance and drill team in high school and like all dancers, we lived and breathed Michael Jackson. Some of our biggest routines were choreographed to his music. We dressed up like Egyptians for "Remember the Time" and did a jazzy poker-themed rendition of "Smooth Criminal." We received trophies for both of the performances. Even in college we danced to "Smooth Criminal."

Every Halloween my dad would bring out the Halloween sounds and music and of course "Thriller" was on there. You cant have Halloween without "Thriller." And then a few years ago MJ did another Halloween special with MTV and without missing a beat my dad added that to his Halloween tradition. Every Halloween morning "Ghosts" would be on and he still had all the moves. And the make-up was ridiculously awesome.

Yesterday when they played "Wanna be Startin' Something" I called my friend Darius to remind him that it was MJ who brought us together. My very first time attending a live taping of America's Best Dance Crew was during season one's Tribute to Michael Jackson. Darius's group, Satus Quo, danced to that song...we met later that night after the show. But that attending that taping was a great night for me. it was so awesome to see all those dancers paying homage to him. My favorite performance form that night was Br8k Skate's "Beat It." Their performance was so powerful and passionate. It really almost made me cry. They were saved that night but went home the next week.

I could go on and on. Michael Jackson was just such an incredible person. Bigger than anyone this generation, decade or millennium has ever know. An international celebrity. And he touched so many people. He did so much for so many people. People listened to his words because they meant something. He cared about every one and when he spoke, he spoke with honesty and love. All he wanted was to be loved, to show others love, and to make a difference. Heal the World, We are the World, Man and The Mirror, Black or White. He wasnt just about pop and dance. God instilled so much power in him and he recognized it and used it to it's full advantage.

There will never be another like him