Until 2020 I didn’t really know much about One Direction except the name of the group and “What Makes You Beautiful”. Then my daughter got turned on to them. And she exposed me to their music and videos, interviews, documentaries, late-night talk show clips, etc.

If it wasn’t for my daughter, I wouldn’t have any clue who Liam Payne was, except that he was a member of One Direction. And I wouldn’t have been so moved by the outpouring of love from his fans in his untimely death. One Directioners are quite a family and they are remarkable. I’m glad my daughter considers herself a One Directioner too.

I actually saw the story on the news before it even hit social media. When I broke the news to my daughter, her first reaction was “okay”. And then she sobbed. She sobbed for a little bit and then blocked things on social media. And I comforted her. Because no matter what anyone says, it is okay to grieve someone you may not personally know but have greatly admired. Someone you may have grown up listening to and who had great meaning in your life.

When an artist of any kind passes, be it a singer, actor, painter, dancer, author, etc., I always say they have left greatness behind in their work. Their work is always something we will have, forever and ever. For generations to come. That is the beauty of an artist passing. Their memory never dies because their work is always with us.

Liam may be gone but his music, his voice, his interviews, his videos, etc. will always be something to remember him by.