As those of you who follow my blog know, I have not been well. I had planned to come back with many pictures from my trip to Mexico, and will do so soon, because I am finally feeling better.

    However, I want to talk about something else first.

    Those who are kind enough to follow this blog know that I rarely speak of current events - and when I do, it is only because I feel strongly about the subject, and take the opportunity my blog affords to have my say.

    Perhaps you will also note that I do not speak as "Chatty" - but as myself.

    So, here goes.

    We have been innundated with the circumstances surrounding the death of Michael Jackson.

    I have just a tiny bit of input - not much, as you will see - but something I believe to be significant in its way, because it speaks to the friendships he had that endured.

    You can tell a lot about a man by listening to the friends who speak up for him in times of trouble or death, can't you?

    Deepak Chopra and his son are two people I would consider blessed to have as long-standing friends - wouldn't you?

    So - a bit more on that...

    First, let us be clear.

    I did not know Michael Jackson.

    I did, however, know the mother of one of the friends who has stuck by him through thick and thin. That friend is Miko Brando, and I am happy and proud to have known his mother.

    It may might not sound like much - but I do believe that we can learn a lot about a person if we know his mother.

    By the way, I met Miko's father in passing at a restaurant many years ago - and only the once. He was charming, funny, and interesting. We never worked together, but I'm glad I had the chance to meet him - if only in informal circumstances.

    But, that doesn't really count.

    What counts is that I met and got to know Miko's mother over a period of several years. I was working as an assistant director in Hollywood, and she was working as a background talent - aka "atmosphere".

    Her name is Movita Castaneda, but she was better known as just "Movita" in her years as an actress.

    Yes - a single name - just like "Cher" or "Madonna" - but she was known by a single name long before anyone else (everything old is new again, right?)

    Movita met Marlon Brando in the 1950's. They married, and had two children together - a son and a daughter.

    As Movita told it (and I cannot know if it is true, but I prefer to believe it) she left him when he "fell" for his third wife - a beautiful woman from Tahiti - while filming the re-make of "Mutiny on the Bounty" in 1962 (ironic note, Movita had a starring role in the ORIGINAL version). Movita asked for no alimony, and whether or not he contributed child support for their two children (both of whom SHE raised) she never mentioned. She did say once that she could not abide unfaithfulness - and if Marlon wanted someone else, her only choice was to give him his freedom, though she was Catholic. I'm sure this was difficult for her

    In point of fact, she did not speak of Marlon Brando often - in fact, I had known her for a year before she even mentioned it - and then it was just in passing. However, when she did speak of him after we knew one another better, it was always with affection. I liked her for that. I also believe that she and Marlon remained on good terms throughout his life, and stayed in touch - at least sporadically - and always as friends.

    As I came to know her, I liked her for many other reasons as well. She was kind. She was an oasis of calm on any busy "set". She was charming and fun. She was absolutely reliable. She did things like make tamales for friends in the cast and crew at Christmas.

    And, she loved her children so very much. She never bored anyone with stories, but it was obvious that she loved them - and that they were the most important people in her life.

    She spoke once to me of the horrific accident that befell Michael Jackson on the set of the infamous Pepsi commercial - how his hair caught on fire and that he could have died. She mentioned it with great sorrow, but also with pride - because it was her son, Miko, who was the first to jump to help Michael. They both received severe burns. Everybody has heard how much Michael suffered - perhaps fewer remember how badly her son was also hurt.

    We are hearing a bit from Miko now that his friend has died - he has been interviewed by many news organizations. I truly believe that he is trying to give us a picture of the man HE knew - his friend. I applaud him for that, and for his unswerving loyalty to a man who by all accounts was difficult to understand, though perhaps not difficult to love.

    I say again - you can learn a lot about a person just from knowing his mother.

    Movita - wherever you are - it was a privilege and a pleasure to know you. Miko - I have never met you, but I know your mother is proud of you for a myriad of reasons - one of which must certainly be your steadfast loyalty and love for your friends - one of whom happened to be Michael Jackson.

    Let us eschew the attention-mongering hangers-on and press vultures who pretend to help us "understand" Michael Jackson's life and death before he has even been laid to rest.

    And, let us remember him as we will - for better or for worse - but always as a great talent whose music made its impression on us all.

    May he rest in peace.

    And, while I am at it - let us take a moment to remember ALL of those who have passed away in the past couple of weeks - famous or known only to their dear ones.

    Death comes as the end for all of us - but love and memories live on always in the hearts of all who are left behind.