Back in the 70's I had loved Farrah Fawcett, not because she was beautiful, but because she was married to Lee Majors, The Six Million Dollar Man. I loved Lee Majors and everything about Lee Majors.
(Coincidentally, my husband got his name because his biological mother loved Lee Majors too. I know what you are thinking....his name is Heath, not Lee. Lee Majors played Heath Barkley on "Big Valley." So she named my husband Heath. It was the 70's, I think she may have had a little more than twighlight sleep when she had him..but I digress.)
I had been a "Charlie's Angel's" fan, but not because of Farrah, but because of Kate Jackson, who grew up in Birmingham. Seeing Kate every week on tv reminded me that anyone who worked hard enough could escape from Alabama. (Funny, I consider Alabama a refuge now)
Through these connections, I had begun to admire and be swept up in the phenomenon that was Farrah.
I had begun working on my feathered hair
but I did not perfect it until I was much older.....
I had loved that she was from Texas and had a Southern drawl just like I did. At the time I'd never given any serious thought to her acting ability (or lack of it at the time) and it was not until "Burning Bed" that I saw she was not just another pretty face.
I had watched, with rapt attention, the documentary of her three year battle with cancer. Her talk of strength and faith left little doubt that you can't bring a good girl, (an Angel no less) down.
Yesteday Farrah earned her real angel wings.
Unfortunately, darling Farrah was later upstaged by the quintessential showman, Micheal Jackson.
I had been a fan of Michael Jackson since I was small. During their hey-day, The Jackson Five was my favorite group. I am told that one morning at breakfast, I announced that I would be marrying Michael Jackson when I grew up. My startled mother went about telling me why I couldn't...with things like "he doesn't live here" and "he's older than you."
Little did we know...I may not have been his type.
The soundtrack of my life contains many a Micheal Jackson song. "ABC" was one of my favorite songs, as well as "Ben" that I didn't realize was about a rat until I was older. I bought "Thriller" with my Christmas money in 1982.
One of the first pep rally routines I choreographed was to "Wanna Be Startin' Somthing," followed by one to "Beat It," and one to "Thriller" that I had cut well short of it's full six minutes and spliced in Vincent Price's ominous laugh as an ending.
On my birthday in 1984(another memorable one), the Gloved One came to Birmingham to rehearse for the upcoming Victory Tour. The road crew needed a place to practice set up and tear down, along with the special effects and the BJCC filled the bill. It was supposed to be a secret, but as with any juicy gossip, word got out. The Sheraton Civic Center was mobbed with adoring fans. I remember watching on tv as MJ step out on a balcony to wave a hanky at the crowd below. My mother would not let me drive to Birmingham, so I could not join the group.
That was also the same weekend, my mother's best friend reported being visited at her mother's Trussville home, by an odd little old man, escorted by 4 other men, wanting to speak to her about Jehovah. Hmmm...
And now, both of these people will finally get to see the face of Jehovah.
I can only hope their hearts were in the right place, so that they will be too.
As for me and my birthday, I can only remind myself, that "any day above ground is a good day" and another opportunity to witness to those around me.
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