After weeks of delay, Michael Jackson's public funeral had finally held on 07-07-09 at Staples Center Arena. It was not spectacular, extravagant or bizarre. There were songs and tears but little dancing. Instead, Michael Jackson’s memorial was a somber, spiritual ceremony that reached back for the essence of the man. 20,000 people gathered inside the Staples Center arena on Tuesday, and untold millions watching around the world, remembered Jackson, whose immense talents almost drowned beneath the spectacle of his life and fame.
"Michael, when you left us, a part of me went with you. ... I will treasure the good times, singing, dancing, laughing. ... We will never understand what he endured ... being judged, ridiculed. How much pain can one take? Maybe, now, Michael, they will leave you alone." - Marlon Jackson.
"Michael always knew he could count on me to support him or be his date. ... We had a bond and maybe it was because we both understood what it was like to be in the spotlight from a very, very young age. I used to tease him and say, 'I started when I was 11 months old. You're a slacker. You were like 5?' Both of us needed to be adults very early, but when we were together, we were two little kids having fun. ... M.J.'s laugh was the sweetest and purest of anyone I've known." - Brooke Shields.
"He created a comfort level, where people that felt they were separate became interconnected with his music. ... Those young kids grew up from being teenage, comfortable fans of Michael's to being 40 years old and being comfortable to vote for a person of color to be the president of the United States of America. Michael did that. Michael made us love each other. Michael taught us to stand with each other. I want his three children to know - there weren't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with but he dealt with it." The Rev. Al Sharpton.
"I'm here representing millions of fans around the world who grew up listening to Michael, being inspired and loving Michael from a distance. ... Somehow when Michael Jackson sang and when he danced ... we felt he was right there. ... He made you believe in yourself." - Queen Latifah.
"When he did his iconic moonwalk, I was shocked. It was magic. Michael Jackson went into orbit and never came down. Though it ended way too soon, Michael's life was beautiful." - Motown Records founder Berry Gordy.
"This is a moment that I wish that I didn't live to see come. But as much as I can say that and mean it, I do know that God is good and I do know that as much as we may feel - and we do - that we need Michael here with us, God must have needed him far more." - Stevie Wonder.
"Michael was a personal love of mine. A treasured part of my world ... " - Smokey Robinson, reading a note from longtime Jackson friend Diana Ross at Tuesday's memorial service in Los Angeles.
"You don't think you'll live to see them gone. ... He is going to live forever and ever and ever and ever." - Smokey Robinson.
"We miss you, Michael." - Mariah Carey, after singing "I'll Be There" at Jackson's memorial service.
There are certain people in our popular culture that just capture people's imaginations. And in death, they become even larger. Now, I have to admit that it's also fed by a 24/7 media that is insatiable." - President Barack Obama, who was asked about the outpouring of emotion related to Michael Jackson's death during an interview with CBS while he was in Moscow.
"They're holding up well in part because they're a strong family ... a big family, religiously devout family. Therefore, they have a sense of insulation of their faith." - The Rev. Jesse Jackson, on how Michael Jackson's family is coping.
"He was a true gift and there are very few that have come to the magnitude of influence that he had on the world." - Neil Portnow, president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
If there was a shocking moment, it came in the form of Jackson’s daughter, Paris-Michael, who made the first public statement of her 11 years.
"Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine,” she said, dissolving into tears and turning into the embrace of her aunt Janet. “And I just wanted to say I love him — so much.” - Paris Jackson.
I remembered you once said "I love my children".
Today, my heart was torn to million pieces when i heard them crying while saying:
"I just want you to know that i love you so much, daddy!"
Michael, please let them hear your whispers through Heaven:
"I LOVE YOU MORE..."
We love your children so much as we know they're so precious to you.
We will keep on protecting them with our best forever.
See you in Heaven.
Rest in peace.
NEVER SAY GOODBYE, MY KING!