It is now approaching five months since Michael’s passing. We have all come a long way together, but now it's time to face the future and the joy it can still bring. We have Michael’s legacy to preserve, and we need to continue to heal from what was a terrible shock to the entire fan community, and to the world.
As President/Owner of MJJC, Gary has decided to phase out the Support Forum, and I fully agree with this decision. It has reached the point where those still suffering terribly from grief should seek professional counseling, face-to-face. Also, there is a list of names and contact information in the Support Forum of those who will be there for you if you need to talk to someone more privately . . . but as fellow-fans, and not for professional counseling. I hope everyone understands that it’s possible to reach a plateau in grieving, and it’s very important that those who need to reach out to those closer to home, understand that professional counseling can be a positive thing.
I would suggest that if any of you would like to keep the links to hotlines and grief counseling, that you copy and paste to your desktops as the Support Forum is phased out. The same applies to any of the inspirational writings in the Support Forum, and anything else you would like to preserve for yourselves. I'd like to thank everyone who has offered support and shoulders to cry on. Thank you for your strength. You have truly been amazing! We have not been offering "professional counseling," but "peer support" among people who have experienced the same trauma and who understand. It has now reached the point where the continued desperation of some is causing its own form of trauma, and I urge those who are still suffering greatly to seek grief-counseling to try to begin to heal.
With that said, I’d like everyone to know that I’ve decided to leave staff at MJJC. I have been a member since 2003, have made many lifetime friends, and have had many incredible experiences here. I was active during the trial, and I hope that my articles (investigative reporting, published on alternative news sites and many fan boards, in many languages) made a positive contribution to justice for Michael. I felt it was necessary for me to remain on staff during the aftermath of Michael’s passing, to offer what comfort I could. It is approaching five months since the fateful day of June 25. I will now move forward in my own creative work. I wish you all the best. I’ll be around, if you need to PM me, but will no longer be spending the long days (and nights) on the board as staff. In other words, I will have the freedom to move forward in my own life, now. I do hope you understand?
One thing I’d like to emphasize is the preservation of Michael’s legacy. His legacy means much more than his artistry in music, dance, his short-films and videos, and the memories those have who met him. His is also a legacy of healing the world – in how we treat one-another and resolve our differences. Michael respected those of all religions, races, ethnicities, and embraced all of our beautiful differences. I think that everyone should try even harder to live up to this standard of peace and healing. I’ve been discouraged by the ways some of you on here treat each other. If we have learned anything from Michael, the respectful treatment of other people should be primary. . . and the L.O.V.E. Please make him proud of how you live your lives.
Peace and love,
Victoria