When MJ came to Jamaica, I was in third form at Excelsior. Those were great times. Yeah, life was rough. Life is always rough but I had more time and space then to be 'free and laughing'. I used to walk with a group of classmates, from Mountain View Avenue to Cross Roads, most evenings. That used to be such fun!

The walk could take five hours, or more, as we made many stops. We stopped to watch teams training, ongoing sporting events, or whatever else was happening at the National Stadium complex.

collapse in amusement

We stopped to get refreshments and/or annoy vendors at various outlets along the way. Often, we just stopped to collapse in amusement, revelling in moments of delicious absurdity and sweet silliness. The source of the hilarity was usually some prank played, or joke shared and the instigator was invariably me. We were young, free and laughing.

enthusiasm

During those walks in March 1975, we watched preparations for the upcoming Jackson Five concert at the stadium. Every girl wanted tickets. We boys didn't share the enthusiasm. We couldn't afford it anyway. We mused about how fanatical the girls in our class behaved about the group and joked about how their interest had little to do with music. They just loved the lead singer.

As I grew older, I came to also love and admire that singer's exceptional artistry. Michael Jackson was the embodiment of creative energy and artistic excellence. He's in a class by himself. But, Lord, the price! I can't even imagine how difficult it must be to just be Michael Jackson.

In spite of (and because of) his immense wealth and fame and unquestionable talent, being 'free and laughing' must have been almost impossible for him.

downward spiral

Like many others, I was saddened by the long pause put on his career when his personal life made that much-publicised downward spiral. When I heard about his planned return to the stage I was happy. I wasn't surprised when one million tickets sold out in no time. The world adores Michael and everybody loves a good comeback.

silences the critics

Many stories connect with us emotionally in those moments when a well-loved character rises to defy odds and exceed expectations, or when the forgotten veteran makes a stirringly successful return. Nothing's sweeter than when someone, who people write off as 'dead and done', just comes back with more greatness and silences the critics. That's the context in which I'd been anticipating the return of two of my favourite entertainers of all time, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. Sadly, we'll never see Michael's comeback. Now the weight's heavier and the wait's greater as we look to welcome back Whitney to the world stage. As for Michael, this physical passing will underscore his immortality. Live on MJ, may you finally be 'free and laughing'.

I borrowed this 'free and laughing' theme from a refreshing book I just read. Yes, mi friends, I got plenty encouraging responses to my comments last week about books and reading, so I decided to big up another great book. Free and Laughing by Marguerite Orane! Full of inspirational inscriptions and lessons in love, laughter and trust, it's a beautiful book that everyone should read.

I met Marguerite on an 'uncensored' panel at FAME FM. We were discussing laughter, with emphasis on why silly stereotypical portrayals of homosexual men seem the easiest thing to get Jamaicans laughing. I got an autographed copy, for free. Yeah, that's me, free and laughing!

PS. Big ups to the bold and the beautiful: My bold big son Joel Jawara Ellis; and Ity's beautiful big daughter, Najali Jamila Ellis. Both celebrate big birthdays tomorrow. Ellis Clan to the universe!

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