August 16, 1977. My mom is in the drive thru line to pick up her dry cleaning when it is announced that Elvis Presley has died. She accelerates her car and we almost go into a wall.
December 8, 1980. I’m lying on the floor doing my homework. The radio playing. DJ breaks in to somberly announce that John Lennon has been shot. He is confirmed deceased. I look over at my dad. I see tears begin to leak out of his eyes.
April 5, 1994. I am very pregnant with my first daughter. It is announced that Kurt Cobain has taken his own life. I feel an utter loss. I didn’t know Kurt Cobain. I only lived and breathed the Seattle Music Scene.
Early morning January 11, 2016. I am awoken by an urge to check Face Book where I see that David Bowie has passed away. My groggy head attempts to process this information.
Elvis, John, Kurt, David. Aaliyah, Natalie Cole, Selena, Scott Weiland, Andrew Wood, Layne Staley, Lemmy and just this past Monday the Eagles, Glen Frey. Some old, some young, some died at their own hand, cancer, tragedy.
As I sit here writing I am listening to David Bowie’s Black Star. Black Star was released 2 days before his passing at age 69 from cancer. From what I read about Mr. Bowie’s cancer battle I learned the following: 1. No one really knew for sure that he was sick 2. He was (as always) fiercely private 3. He worked almost non-stop until his journey on this plain came to a conclusion and he transitioned 4. His final effort of, “Black Star,” and the accompanying video is a hauntingly beautiful premonition and gift to his fans.
As I began my day on January 11th I turned on my car radio. The X was playing David Bowie. I found the tears begin to form. At work my sister said, “I can’t believe David Bowie is dead!” I told her I didn’t want to talk about because I knew tears were again right there. I chose to sit with what I was feeling. Was I sad that David was no longer suffering? No. He was at peace. What I felt was what I would like to thing my mom felt for Elvis and my Dad felt for John Lennon. Nostalgia. Nostalgia of the first time I saw David Bowie on MTV or act in a movie or my personal fave story of Mr. Bowie was that he had a great influence on one my all time personal top 10 bands, Bauhaus.
A few days pass and I revisit David Bowie’s passing with my sister. I tell her I want to go like David Bowie. If I’m sick I want to work my butt off until I’m called to transition. I don’t want a pity party. Don’t ask me how I’m doing, ask what needs to be done to keep my legacy of change going. And in the end cry not out of sadness because I am no longer bound by earthly pain. Instead, throw a dance party, laugh, play music that reminds you of me. But don’t wish that I’m still here. We all have an expiration date HERE. 
“Look up here. I’m in heaven. I’ve got scars that can’t be seen. I’ve got drama, can’t be stolen. Everybody knows me now.” -Lazarus David Bowie
Major Tom….We Hear You.