Wow! Michael and Farrah on the same day.

I must say that I am a little more than shocked about the deaths of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. When I say that each, in their own way, shaped my teen years, it's no understatement.

Farrah held a permanent position on my wall throughout my tween and teen years. I was not alone. I bet there were millions of that now-famous poster sold around the country. Farrah was the Jane Mansfield/Marilyn Monroe of my era. She was the pin-up girl for my male generation and she deserved it.

And Michael Jackson... What can you say about his music, his dancing, his presence in the 70's and 80's. The soundtrack of my youth was cluttered with Off the Wall and Beat It and Thriller. When Michael released an album, it went straight platinum and it was fantastic. When he released a single, it shot straight to #1 and you could sing and dance to it all night long. He knew what we kids wanted to hear and delivered EVERY time.

I chose not to think of them in their later years. The Michael in my memory is Michael, not Jacko the Wacko. The Farrah I see in my mind is that beautiful, sexy blonde on my wall. I don't even think about the Farrah that struggles with the sins of this world or the Farrah who spent too much time with the cosmetic surgeon.

I chose to remember them as I saw them in my youth. The way I celebrated them in my youth. On this sad day, I think I owe them that.