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I have been to the Staples Center on more than one occasion for Laker games and various concerts, but never before on any previous visit have I seen such an amazing sight. The perimeter around the Staples Center was barricaded off more than a block away and the amount of media outlets present was astonishing. The traffic was as expected, horrible beyond belief. It took us a good fifty minutes to get off of Adams from the 110 to even within a block of Staples Center. My friend Cori and I had silver wristbands and Nokia Live tickets that we obtained the previous day at Dodger Stadium. We were ushered immediately to the Nokia Live entrances upon entering the premises since we didn’t have the gold wristbands marked for the Staple Center seating.

Walking up to corner of Figueroa and Chick Hearn Court, you were immediately bombarded with News reporters asking for your thoughts, how you felt, why you love Michael Jackson, and how far you traveled. Seemingly, no one wanted to talk to us local girls but more the many holding such signs as “I traveled from France to see the Memorial!” The different walks of life present at the memorial were a remarkable to see. Nokia Live was set up with three large screens that would be broadcasting the memorial live from across the street. We were bummed at the fact that we wouldn’t be able to see the event live in person, but I suppose being there in and of itself was an honor anyway. We were given gold booklets that contained personal and professional photos of Michael Jackson, his family, and close friends accompanied by written eulogies from family members and friends.

As we waited for the event to commence, I was amazed how touching and emotional I became simply reading the loving words of his family. It would be the beginning of a never ending flow of tears for me and many within the audience. Throughout the memorial, you could feel the love in the room. The tears, the laughs, and the heartfelt love being sent from all of us sitting in that darkened theatre. How extraordinary it was to have thousands of complete strangers coming together to mourn and celebrate the life of such an amazing figure like Michael Jackson. Some believed the memorial to be inappropriate, circus like even, but being there you couldn’t tell it apart from your ordinary family gathering for a lost one, other than of course the big name celebrities and performers in attendance. Everyone was just so respectable and appreciative of the moment that the three hours it lasted seemed like less than one and no one wanted it to end.

After the ceremony at the Staples Center concluded, Janet, La Toya, and Rebbie Jackson came over to say a few words to us in Nokia Live. They reiterated their gratitude and thanks for all the fans’ support and love. The experience is one I will never forget and continue to replay in my head throughout the day. What an amazing man and what an amazing life Michael Jackson has led. I believe that Reverend Al Sharpton’s eulogy was very powerful and very well spoken, one of my favorite of the night. You can hear cheering and calls of agreement with his positive and uplifting words towards Michael Jackson’s life. His family was by far the most moving and heartfelt words spoken. I sat there thinking that this family, however powerful and famous they have become, is still a family like yours or mine. I think a lot of people forget about that. Michael Jackson was a man, just like any other, but the love for this family and this man goes beyond any other human being present, past, and future. I thought the memorial was well put together and executed with so much class and elegance. It was a perfect ending to a wonderful celebration of the life of Michael Jackson and a fabulous beginning to the every living legacy of the King of Pop.