Greetings from Brea, California, USA!
Photo taken on Thursday, June 25, 2009.
Last January I mentioned three babies born within three days. The first two arrived the same day and the third came two days later. Later I jokingly predicted three weddings and three funerals in the months to come. In an eerie mirroring to the trio of births, this week had a trio of deaths also within three days. Ed McMahon died on Tuesday, Farrah Fawcett followed on Thursday morning and Michael Jackson made his exit that afternoon.
McMahon lived long and well. His death simply provided the finish to his illustrious life story. Fawcett had her life shortened by terminal cancer. With early awareness of her illness, we accepted her passing more readily, a fortunate happenstance as media focus quickly shifted when Jackson died mere hours later. His life was already a constant source for tabloids and his sudden death guaranteed more dirt for these muckrakers.
A master of ceremony, McMahon was sidekick to Johnny Carson on television’s Tonight Show but also had solo success hosting talent competition Star Search. A poster and a hairstyle furthered her fame but Fawcett will be first, foremost and forevermore a Charlie’s Angel as an original member of that ethereal TV series. A singer without equal, Jackson was a music video visionary – Thriller is a crown jewel – and drew attention to fledgling cable channel Music Television, MTV, which is eternally indebted to him.
All three were entertainers and television was central to their successes. The similarities originally stopped there. Ed, Farrah and Michael had very different lives, talents and deaths. But the close timing of their passings created an unlikely third shared thread for an equally unlikely trio. Nonetheless they will be remembered because of their individual endeavors, not their group departure. May these souls endure in the hereafter.
Finally end of June was also end of gloom. The month started with rain, thunder and lightning. By mid-month overcast remained thicker and lasted longer than normal. But the last days of the month are also the first days of summer, bringing clear skies from dawn to dusk and beyond. This week’s photo is of Brea Mall’s skylights glowing warm and white. Coincidentally I took it on Thursday after Fawcett and Jackson both left the mortal plain. Perhaps this was a heavenly homing beacon. I choose to believe it was.
Angelo
