Hello, everybody.

The Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday transformed from just your ordinary venue that served as home to the Lakers, Kings, the Grammy Awards, the 2000 Democratic National Convention, and WrestleMania 21, into the ultimate and final performance home for Michael Jackson as his public memorial service took center stage.

Over 19,000 fans filled the venue to near capacity while 500 million more around the world tuned in to help say their final goodbyes to the King of Pop. The memorial was without a doubt a star-studded affair, starting with Smokey Robinson reading statements from Diana Ross and Nelson Mandela, who both couldn't attend. That would followed minutes later by the arrival of Jackson's gold casket set to "Soon and Very Soon" performed by a gospel choir.

Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz took the stage next with "I'll Be There"; after Queen Latifah, it would be Lionel Richie singing "Jesus Is Love". Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, who helped set Jackson for life when he signed the Jackson 5, called Michael "the greatest entertainer that ever lived." After a video tribute came Stevie Wonder with two songs, remarks by Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson, John Mayer's acoustical version of "Human Nature", and then Brooke Shields stating that Michael's favorite song was "Smile" by Charlie Chaplin...in which brother Jermaine would perform.

But perhaps the one moment that will be embedded into our memories for years to come came from daughter Paris Katherine, who while trying to hold back tears said, "Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine ... I just wanted to say I love him so much." This I think was pretty much the 21st Century version of John F. Kennedy Jr. saluting his father's flag-draped casket.

Like I said before, it was an all-star service, attended by Rev. Al Sharpton, Dionne Warwick, a pregnant Jennifer Hudson, Usher (who walked to Michael's casket singing "Gone Too Soon"), Larry King, Barbara Walters, and even Mickey Rooney. There were reports that fellow friends Elizabeth Taylor and Macaulay Culkin would also be there, but they were no-shows as well as ex-wives Lisa Marie Presley and Debbie Rowe.

Security up and down the area were at its tightest ever; so were the police force: an additional 1,400 officers were on duty, larger then when L.A. hosted the Olympics in 1984. But before the public service, a private family service was held at Forest Lawn Morturary, the final resting place for John Ritter, Bette Davis, and just recently, Ed McMahon among others. After that, the motorcade then went to Staples Center for the public memorial which started a few minutes after 9:30 am (Alaska Time). As for getting the tickets? The lucky recipients were chosen by an online lottery that had 1.2 million applicants in the first 24 hours; only 17,500 had to get in line.

For those who witnessed it in person or watching it on television somewhere in the world, it was indeed a grand and fond farewell to Michael Jospeh Jackson, the man who was, is, and forever will be known as the King of Pop. And I'm sure my grandmother Mildred will definitely be awaiting his arrival in heaven. So long and stay strong.