When I was getting ready for work, Good Morning America was on so I watched Barbra Walters present previews for the Farrah Fawcett special. So when I heard later that she had died, I was sad because I LOVED Charlie’s Angels when I was kid. But I was also glad that she was no longer suffering. It made me realize how fleeting life can be.

But when I found out that Michael Jackson had died—it was more of a shock. Unlike with Farrah, this death was very unexpected. And although I had my issues with the King of Pop, I cannot deny that he was the soundtrack of my young adult life. When I hear a MJ song, I think of the times when I was a teen. On the way home, the radio airwaves filled with Michael Jackson’s music. Then “Man in the Mirror” came through the speakers. This was my favorite MJ song as a young adult. It gave me chills because I instantly was back as that young girl with her whole future ahead of her—all those hopes and dreams. We have definitely lost an icon.

Life is truly a gift. Times like these make you realize that tomorrow is never promised.

Tonight when I look into my blank screen and try to disappear into my world of writing, I’ll think of Michael and Farrah. I’ll write in memory of them both.