They saved the not-a-dry-eye-in-the-house part for the very end. As the Michael Jackson memorial stretched just past two hours this afternoon, after a series of speeches and several emotional music performances, Jacksons daughter approached the microphone, aunt Janet steadying her. Choking back sobs, 11-year-old Paris said, Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. I just want to say I love him so much.
If that didnt get to your tear ducts at least a little, youve got a pretty chilly heart.
The second-most famous Jackson, Janet, clad in a black dress and beret, was sad- or stone-faced every time on camera. She neither spoke nor performed. Michaels brothers Jermaine and Marlon offered tributes, and Jermaine sang a teary rendition of what speaker Brooke Shields said was Michaels favorite song: the Charlie Chaplin chestnut Smile.
Maybe Ive reached Michael Jackson overload, but I stayed dry-eyed until Paris comments at the end.