Friday Night Videos

I'm not sure if you heard, but Michael Jackson died. I found out about his death while at Girls Camp- our little Youth Camp Leaders announced it right before dinner on the day of his passing. Hmmm, I wonder how they knew- since we were not allowed cell phones at camp. Revelation?

Today, as the children and I were watching a bit of his memorial service, I thought back on my memories of Michael Jackson in the 80s. The penny loafers, the fedora hat, the black and red jackets, parachute pants, the moon walk, the lone glove. I have never been a huge fan, but I do remember when Thriller came out when I was in fifth grade.

I spent the night at Jeanette Eby's house and we stayed up late just so we could watch Friday Night Videos (do you remember FNV?) and the premier of the Thriller video. We also ate fruit roll-ups. And pop rocks. It was a party for sure.

Jeanette's family had a yellow VW Bug.

And orange carpet. And an owl macrame wall hanging.

And we sat on that orange carpet, in front of her huge, console television set and thrilled at that video. And probably afterward, The Reflex video played.

And at school on Monday, we gathered with our friends and talked about that Thriller video. And how awesome it was- and that there would be an encore presentation of it that we vowed not to miss.

Those were the days of really totally awesome videos.

As we watched the funeral, oldest daughter waxed philosophical and shared her observations by stating the following:

"Mom, sometimes when you're little

you could be black or brown

and then you could turn whiter

when you get older."

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True that.