Life after death-why don't we know what we've got till it's gone?

Death is a reality of life. Whether by natural causes or sudden tragic loss, it has touched all of us at one time or another. Over the past couple of months, the news has been filled with celebrity deaths and their aftermaths. Who didn't read about Heath Ledger winning the Oscar for one of his final performances as the Joker in "The Dark Knight"? Twitter went "Dirty Dancing" crazy after Patrick Swayze lost his battle to cancer. Farrah Fawcett, DJ AM, Billy Mays, my grandmother...The list goes on and on. However, the one that really got me thinking, was Michael Jackson.
In short, I grew up with Michael's music and videos. "Thriller" was one of my earliest albums. Over the years I shared the public's curiousity, as his behaivor became more and more eccentric. The ever lightening skin, kids in Halloween masks year round, dangling a baby called Blanket(?) over a balcony. People were less inclined to talk about his talent or latest album, as they were his crazy behaivor and that isn't even including the circus surrounding allegations of child molestation. In the recent months, I had heard mention of a comeback tour but other than that, Michael Jackson felt irrelevant in today's culture, unless it was the punchline to a joke. Then, he died.
Suddenly, everyone was a huge Michael Jackson fan. They rushed to buy his music and do the moonwalk for reporters. They signed giant memorial posters outside Staples Center and used their mortgage payments to buy tickets to his memorial. They professed their support of his innocence, "He was like Peter Pan!" Friends and family touched on the same theme, if only Michael could see how loved he was or how many lives he touched. Who didn't cry when his daughter talked not about the King of Pop but simply, Daddy? Is it true to say, we don't know what we've got until it is gone?
Vincent Van Gogh's talent as an artist was never realized in his lifetime. Mozart died a pauper despite the fact that even today his music can be heard everywhere from lavish weddings to expensive restaurants. And what about those everyday people in our lives? Grandparents who bake amazing cakes, co-workers with natural talent, friends who struggle day to day? How many live their entire lives feeling unappreciated or have talents that we never took the time to recognize? Only after death, do we create living memorials, admire talent and sometimes say all those things we should have told that person. Death and grief is fast becoming a popular fan club to join and for some a lucrative business opportunity. Rewriting personal history to suit our own needs.
I am in full support of making sure that we don't forget those who pass on before us, whether they are a pop culture icon or that nice guy who lived next door. But, perhaps the lesson we are missing is this; Instead of idolizing the dead, why don't we celebrate the living? Regret and "what if's" are probably the worst part of grief, next to the "I wish they could see all of this love and admiration." My mum always use to tell me "Make sure to always say "I love you" before going out and never go to sleep angry with a loved one." Compliment someone, even if it is on something small or pick up the phone and call that relative just to say hi. Many families found some measure of comfort after 9/11 because they were able to have that last phone call or message of love on an answering machine.
In the end, all we have are the memories we make in life. Michael Jackson never moved out of the dark shadows of scrutiny, even after being aquitted, but his children will see theaters pack when his last concert is released and a new generation hum his songs. Patrick Swayze spent his final months working on his memoirs with his beloved wife, who I am sure loved the tribute to him on "Dancing with the Stars." And I know of a few "secret" family recipes that will continue to be passed down in my own family. Treasure those around you today because it shouldn't take death to realize the worth of someones life.