Passing on...

The world is awash with reaction to the sudden death of Pop icon Michael Jackson. Like in the case of Princess Di, public grief has been instant and overwhelming. In fact the Internet almost crashed yesterday due to the large volume of posts and people seeking information on his death.

In life he was a talented but tragic figure - a bit of a pop Howard Hughes, especially in his later years. Supremely talented and gifted, he brought a style and type of music to the world that had not been seen until then. His famous moonwalk and the Thriller albums are part of legend, and no-one can deny the impact he had on the culture and mindset of a generation.

Yet, in the midst of all this - two other tragic deaths occurred, obscured by the hype of the media over Jackson. The first was Farrah Fawcett, former Charlies Angel and model who died after a lengthy battle with cancer. The famous poster of her posing in her orange swimsuit, the very embodiment of California outdoor life is still one of the best selling posters of all time. Sadly, her life was filled with much turmoil - from her publicized marriage to Lee Majors to her tumultuous relationship with Ryan O Neal with whom she had a son Redmond. The pictures of her, frail and spent in a wheelchair were really awful and I hope she has found some peace at long last after all the pain she has suffered.

The last and perhaps least well known to die, was a street cat called Sally. Rescued by a good friend in appalling condition consisting of skin and bones. She was in poor condition and that is probably what ultimately contributed to her passing from kidney failure. The one good thing about her passing is that it was with dignity and amongst love. She didn't have to spend her last days dying slowly in a gutter somewhere cold and alone.

I choose then to celebrate her life and passing!