This week, Generation Xers faced an inevitable rite of passage: the deaths of two popular and iconic figures, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Fittingly, Twitter reported that nearly 1/3 of its tweets were about Michael Jackson’s death, and there are rumors that Google slowed down because of all of the searchers seeking news.

Farrah Fawcett

Farrah was the beauty queen-actress from Texas who became a brave advocate for those with anal cancer. By doing so, she elevated awareness of this disease that arises after exposure to human papilloma virus or HPV. Farrah’s sweet smile and sunny personality will always be remembered. Her legacy to so many is that she brought this disease into the public mind and, by doing so, she eased suffering and saved many lives.

We will always remember Farrah and we honor her life and work. For more information about anal cancer, please click here.

Michael Jackson

Michael was the little boy that so many of us fell in love with as a member of the Jackson 5, that rockin’ and poppin’ group of brothers that exhibited Michael as the slick dancer with the naturally soaring voice. Tragically, Michael’s life was rocked by endless scandals, often of a sexualized nature. For so many people, he was the wounded Peter Pan who simply never grew up, retreating behind the masks of celebrity and plastic surgery. Michael’s music was with us for 40 years and we will remember this troubled, talented entertainer who wanted to be loved and to love.

Check out the enigmatic hit, “Man in the Mirror”, below. It highlights Michael’s beautiful voice and his yearning for wholeness and love: a great message for us all.

ManIntheMirror.mp3

Both of these celebrities entertained us, provoked us, and added to the quilt that is humanity. May they be remembered for the good they did and may all else fall as mere chaff before the Gods.

PROFILE  James is a storyteller, musician, thinker, scholar, technopagan, creative, and polymath. MORE from Creative