Dearest Michael,

I finally made it out to LA in early September...My journal reads like this...

(BTW..have I told you lately, I L.O.V.E. you Most...Ginger)

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I was to go with a group on June 25, 2011 to Los Angeles California, but the vacation schedule at work did not allow. July came and passed. Then August came and so I went to WDW on August 29th (EPCOT & EO and Soarin' were the highlights of that day trip.) Now September and I saw a banquet for MJJ IFF on September 16th Friday…and since I want to meet some of the people that support Michael Jackson or defended him in courts of law…I bought tickets and airfare…Talk about spur of the moment---that is not ME!!

Thursday
Fly from Ft Lauderdale to LA on SWAir which meant a 7 hour flying day. In LA we maneuvered on the FlyWay from airport to Union Station. Then we managed to arrange the shuttle to the Kyoto Grand Hotel where the banquet would be the next night. Went for a LONG walk into territories that may have been a bit dangerous, but we found a market for refreshments walking in a 4 mile loop…and then, as we were entering our hotel there was the Makurai Market--- right --smack dab---adjacent to our hotel…the Kyoto Grand …Just too funny. Sometime we can't see the forest for the trees!!! But in our hiking around we passed the Japanese Art Museum and ethereal Temples.
Friday
Hotel shuttle to Union Square and subway train to Hollywood Walk of Fame. One of the names at the "outer edge" was Gregory Peck. Remember when he rode on the "puke bucket" and said "Michael, I hated It and I loved it!"
Breakfast burrito and coffee and then more and more stars on Hollywood Walk of Fame. We crossed the street and ---there it was. Michael Jackson....OMG. I took a few pictures and just stood there for awhile. Watching the expressions of the people passing by. I heard "oooh, Mikel Jekson! Michal Jacksone! I heard the name in about 15 different accents. There were those with piercings in the oddest places, tatoos everywhere, the young children and the elderly, the poor, the apparently rich, the black, white, yellow, red, --every nationality. One young guy that stuck out in my mind had Attitude, yet was polite waiting for the star in the sidewalk to clear of people taking pictures so he could take his picture of the King of Pop. I thought, "What connection did he have with Michael?". He had on a t-shirt with Johnny Cash "shooting the bird" and yet he was obviously overwhelmed by the star of MJ. Kevin kept going to other stores and I kept saying…just come back for me later. He said I stood there watching expressions and true love for Michael Jackson for over three hours. This was a truly healing experience. I am not alone.

Lunch…I had a breakfast burrito…MJ loved Mexican right?

We had no real plans…but we passed by Madame Tussauds museum. I knew a rendition of Michael was in there... somewhere, So we went in. It was not a wax museum like I thought, it was like ---interacting with mannequins. There was Charlie Chaplin, Robert Redford, Judy Garland, Elizabeth Taylor, Beyonce and of course Michael Jackson. You could hug, and touch… the most amazing part…for me, was the back of Michaels neck. Seemed more realistic than his face. So I guess that diagnoses me with MJOCB. Kevin insisted I give Michael a kiss…which was fine, since he posed slapping Beyonce on the butt!! Right before leaving, there was a room that went into detail about how the mannequins were made using caliper measurements of Beyonce for example, selection of eyes, and exact real hair sewn in hair--- by--- hair. Then on the wall was a handprint impression of Michael's hand. I would know it anywhere --even without the name. I put my hand in his and Kevin took a picture. Then this girl came up and put their hand in Michaels and the back of the jacket said "I love MJ!"…So I took a picture. We obviously began to share about MJ… I was shown the tatoos and I shared my DOT dogtag I have worn since MJTP…and the response was" I'M A DOT TOO!." From Holland, age 19…MJTP name Milo. We exchanged email addresses. Hugged and moved on!!

The Banquet
I was extremely tired because we had a miscommunication about the shuttle pickup by the hotel at Union Station. So I got no time to rest after a full 12 hours walking around LA. When we arrived at the Banquet in the Kyoto Grand…a beautiful lady, I would guess in her 20's with dark long hair, introduced herself as Sandy. I said "Sandy Lee?"…and the answer was yes…"Sandy Lee Scott?" and "Yes" again. How cool! We hugged and I thanked her for delivering cards and flowers on June 25th for me to Forest Lawn Holly Terrace. I described what my cards looked like and then said I have a picture of my cards on my iPhone, but I had left it in the room so, she said "ooh go get it!" I went back to the room while Kevin remained to talk. Yipes! I guess he did okay…at least he ordered the salmon for me and the chicken for him while I was gone. There was a performance by an MJ impersonator Goward Horton. The song he sang, as the salad was served, was "Smile". I could hardly contain myself. I certainly could not eat...my throat closed up... but managed a few bites of the salad. A beautiful girl with long blonde hair across the table from me was wiping her tears. And then--- Thomas Mesereau arrived. I can check that off my "Bucket List"! A performance by Jesse Perez who looked hauntingly like MJ. You could tell some of the facial makeup was so professionally done. Shading on the nose, chin dimple and the darkened lines around the facial hair above the forehead and pony tail. At times I could not take my eyes off him…he wore the aviator sunglasses, so, the mystique was real! Ahem!! Focus! William Wagener started the program and described the goal and mission of MJJ IFF, Inc.

"Our immediate goal is to produce a true-to-life documentary taken from the official court record and other eye witness accounts of the trial of Michael Joe Jackson during 2004 and 2005. This film will be produced for television based on events leading up to and following the trial, in which a jury found Michael not guilty of all ten felonies as well as four lesser included misdemeanors. It is the foundation's goal to expose procedural and private errors, as well as court corruption, in the execution of Michael's case, and to prove the finding of Mr. Michael Joe Jackson's innocence, and maintain this verdict forever. On behalf of Michael Jackson and his family and supporters, we intend to expose the corruption in the system that promises true justice for all - the very system, which continued to haunt Michael with anguish and despair in his final days of life, and to support those charities that Michael Jackson supported."

I am pleased.

A week before when I was not sure I was going to LA, I sent a card with a donation and THAT card was read at the dinner …out loud. I was uncomfortable. I did not intend for it to be made public. Then Tom Mesereau was introduced. He spoke like he had known me forever, I had known him forever. I guess it was for about 45 minutes. What a truly charitable, decent, honest lawyer. Michael was so blessed to be able to have the opportunity to select Tom. Tom said he was recommended by Johnny Cochran. I had mixed emotions about the Cochran Firm who is based out of Miami and I have worked with the firm on the distribution of the proceeds of the Brothers to the Rescue. I was a bit perplexed at that point, because I believe the Cochran Firm (Johnny) gave Michael bad advice in the 1993 allegations to settle out of court. But that is just me...

I was able to have a picture taken of Kevin and I with Tom. Then more performances by an impersonator that really looked a lot like MJ, only smaller in stature. The CD tape would not work so he had to sing acapella. He hesitated, but my Kevin who has turned 180 degrees about MJ ... blurted out "What would Michael do?" not that Kevin's "outspoken" words encouraged him, but he sang beautifully. …acapella! Tom was standing by the door because he had to leave. I gave him my card and said "if he ever came to Miami ---why would he come to Miami" and he generously put my card in his pocket. I guess that was cheezy. But Oh well.

Kevin went back to the room and I stayed and made BFF's with Michelle and Diana. They live in LA. They must have thought I was crazy (…give me a break…I am still on Miami time so it is about 2:00 in the morning….and I am usually in bed by 10:00 pm!) We had a lot of soul searching moments and hilarious spurts of laughter. I cherish that time. Those "Michaeling" new friends were hard to leave. They said I was lucky to have Kevin, because they had to hide "their MJ L.O.V.E." from their spouses and family. I get that. For some unexplainable reason there are some of us that "get it" how MJ was this God given "gem". I wish the USA would have put up a sort of shield around those of cultural musical/artistic talents (instead of allowing tabloids to degrade a human being.) But that is just me.

I met Gloria Rhoads Berlin the realtor who found Neverland for Michael in search of his dream home. She wrote "In Search of Neverland". I had ordered the book years ago. It arrived- signed. I read it--- and it now has 20+ color coded tabs. I'll quote from page 37… " What I know that other people do not know, is that Michael was extremely spiritual and religious…On this very same day…Michael turned with his head bowed in prayer and asked, Gloria will you please recite the Lord's Prayer with me?" "We did".

When I met Ms. Berlin I stumbled for words, and I said I loved her book. She asked my name and she said "Oh I remember you, when I signed and sent the book to you." I could not put a sentence together. I just mentioned the part about the Lord's Prayer, and she said Michael prayed a lot. I just stood there. Normally I am babbling, but I was Speechless. Gorton led her outside. He came back to chat with us later. He was at Neverland when he was 8 years old. He was at the trial when they tried to force Mccauley Culkin to say what they want him to…No luck…Ssssneddon. God Bless You Mccauley!

Saturday
Today I truly wanted to go try to spot a blue whale off the shore at Long Beach. I had heard on the news they thought they were extinct and that there were normally 9 sightings a year. Because of the cooler waters off Long Beach there had been 500 spotted!! Michael would love that, that is what he is all about! We walked to Civic Station and took the subway to Long Beach. The subway passed thru neighborhoods less fortunate and what must be truly challenging to live there. I noticed noone wore any jewelry. No rings, no necklaces, only piercings. We started conversations and people were friendly, but guarded. We arrived in Long Beach a little late and as we were walking along the harbour Kevin noticed a Pirates Festival and since he had on his Walt Disney World Pirates of the Caribbean baseball cap :-( , he wanted to go. I wish I had said no, because we missed the boat to maybe see a blue whale. (BTW I forgot to mention Kevin wore a fedora to the MJJ IFF banquet---looked Grrreat!)

We went back to the room at the Kyoto Grande in Little Tokyo. We were beat ---from so much walking, but I wanted to go to L.A. Live where I had heard from new friends at the MJJ IFF banquet that there were some nice MJ memorabilia at the Grammy Awards museum. There was the most awesome area where you could dance on lit squares to James Brown doing various dances…camel slide, robot. There were sound rooms that you could experience the transition of sound over time from the megaphone you --crank…for real... to the latest dolby surround sound etc. There were displays of clothing like Bruno Mars (black suit worn in 2011 Grammys with those black & white shoes, Gaga, Barbra Streisand (one of my all time favorites), Bob Marley,…all the greats and of course Michael Joseph Jackson. About 6 sequinned and Swaroski crystal jackets, those gold greaves (I learned a new word…GREAVES), the gloves, the suit I saw in 1984 Victory Tour I was blessed to go, and memorial from the funeral. It was not opened--- just for us to see the outside. One thing I remember most, were the pins that had a Kingdom crown on all. Kind of like the art of Salvador Dali always has a crutch in it, well...Michaels always had a Kingdom Crown (and/or an armband to represent stopping child hunger). I was just standing there and a lady about half my age started talking to me about how sad this was. How she and a friend met Michael when she was nine years old. "he was such a sweet soul" she said. She went on to ask me if I knew he was ready to introduce a whole empire that included his own music recording franchise, hotels, and entertainment center." I said, "Oh really?" Acting like I did not know, but I did. Mike had fired all his handlers and hired a guy that I seem to recall name Mr. Wiesner, a German guy…I knew about it, but I wanted to leave it as it was. Her name was Elaine. We will never see each other again…but we discussed how I started reading lyrics and when I heard " turn swords into plowshares" I thought "what is that? What is a plowshare, anyway?" Then one day when I was reading Micah 4 in the Bible…there it was. She said she was going to go read it right away. She said she knew Michael was very spiritual and that he read the bible. I bought an "I <3 MJ t-shirt". I wanted the dual image moire poster framed of MJ, but how would I get that on a plane, so I passed. It was sweet…Kevin had pointed it out.

Sunday
Today we decided to skip going to Disney Land ($300 including shuttle and tickets). Instead we walked to the Disney Concert Hall. Luckily it was the last day of free tours through the building. The architecture was undulating slopes like sails of brushed steel and aluminum and wood and marble inside with gardens on the roof. It was the most amazing work of architecture (Gehrig) I have ever seen. There was a moderating individual tour you could program to explain to you personally the thought that went into the creative process . After Walt passed away, Lillian his wife wanted to give back to the arts and the community. She contributed $50 million to the structure that includes a children's amphitheatre, a concert hall with an organ and stage that does not compare. Even the carpet was created for Lillian and named "Lillian". She had passed away also and Diane Disney continued with the project. In the garden there was a mosaic rose created from broken Delft Holland dinner plates with a flowing fountain in the upturned petals. For an Art History major (for a year anyway) this was truly one of the best experiences of my life. And, Michael would have loved it. Maybe he disguised himself and made the tour himself, who knows? Right?

Then we tried to go the Staples Center to take pictures of where Michael last performed, but could not get through because it was Emmy Awards night. I never saw so may limousines in my entire life. It was so funny because there was a cordoned off area, but we went into an ice cream shop outside for ice cream and when we exited, the "cordoned off" area had grown...and now we were in the movie stars arena…ON THE RED CARPET ...lol. As soon as we walked down the street people were snapping pictures of US!!! Goodness those papparazi will take a picture of just about anything!!!...We were truly ROFLOL!!

The last thing on my agenda before going to the room for sleep, knowing I had to get up at 3:oo am, was to go to the gift shop to get Kevin and I something that said "LA" to remember our trip. As I was in the gift shop I made a new friend. A Japanese lady named Tokio who was trying to help me pick out what I was going to buy. Somehow we started talking about MJ and I have never been asked so many questions about Michael Jackson - in - my - life. The bond we shared was amazing. She gave me remedies for lack of sleep (onion slices wrapped in an Ace bandage by your bed?!?!) etc. She said "if only Michael had been given remedies other that pills and other medicines." She asked me what I thought about the doctor (Conrad Murray). "Quite frankly" I told her, "I don't know what I think. I try not to think about it. It is all so complex, I think , maybe I know too much". God will be the final judge and jury. Kevin called to see why I was gone so long. "I made a new friend…we shared emails and I hope to stay in touch and stay at the Kyoto Grand again," I told Kevin. I told him about all the questions she asked me… and Kevin said "Murray should fry, if this had been addressed when Elvis died of taking 500 pills a day prescribed by doctors, then maybe MJ would be alive today." It kind of put the whole world situation into perspective. You know "Michael's song…It's all for the Money."

Monday…fly back to Miami

Tuesday…I want to go back to LA!!! LYM, Michael
God Help Us All. 

 

There are 3 Bon Jovi fans 1989 performance voting at the same time for every MJ fan voting for 1995 performance  voting right now.

Please vote at

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MJ Haircut Experience

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

8:34 PM

If anyone could be at the right place at the right time…it was today!!  So  I get this urge for a hair cut at the salon in the building where I work.  As I was waiting for my appointment, I hear  "Who Is It".  Okay…wow and then I hear "Give In To Me"  I can hardly contain myself.    I guess it shows.   I am sorta grooving and texting my MJ BFF friend (that is 1/4th my age. )  My hairdresser Dominique  (french salon) comes to me and says (I think that is what he said)    "you like the music, are you a Michael Jackson fan?"    I show him the "MJ in red Mission TII shirt" wallpaper on my phone!!!   He grabs it and takes it to the other hairdresser Jeff to show him and we begin talking.  Will You Be There is playing now, so I do the side hop with arms stretched to the side, You Know?   I tell him I saw the Jacksons in 1984 Victory Tour.   Jeff tells me he saw Michael Jackson twice-- History World Tour.   I blurted out "IN THE GOLD SUIT?"…Yep he says where he comes out of the capsule.  And then he begins to tell Me... (so surreal  unknowingly, MY state of mind )...  How he can't explain it, but when MJ passed he could not get him out of his mind.  His voice is so unique and special.   Yeah how he did the drums and all the parts with his voice and the beat box.  I said the best part was Michael Jackson's message.       Jeff said, " How could anyone believe he did those things when he loved children and gave to charities and just tried to do good.    I mentioned how I hate it that the he was run out of this country unjustly by our medialoid and money grubbing trials.   Jeff said, "yes it was all about the money."   I found someone I could talk to that is in my same space (well almost, I still cry every day.)   Jeff said a lot of people love MJ, they just don't admit it, when MJ passed there were throngs of people watching their tv in the salon outside the glass window.       

         You know,  some people say they remember exactly where they were when they heard the news.   I have never admitted this before.  I don't remember exactly  where I was when I heard MJ passed.  It was not like I remember 911.  For some reason, when I heard about Michael Jackson  I thought "there they go again with their lies"  I think my mind just blew it off as lies.   I was wrong.

Anyway back to the salon.  So I have been growing out this boy haircut…to get the length,  coincidentally to about MJ's "do" in You are Not Alone"  lol!  It is a long process.  Okay...  cover up those 61 year old roots; wash the hair: put on some  sort of cellophane or deep conditioning treatment…whatever… and it is time for the haircut trying to get it to "the bob" stage.   And Whhhhaaatt???  "Dangerous" starts playing.   Okay they put on the cd!  Again!   The haircut begins.   Dominique says "SIT STILL!"   Can't do it.  They could be shaving me bald.   Get a grip...Just grip the handles in the chair.  And try to contain myself.   Some other hairdresser on the other side giggles at me and sings "You Are Not Alone!"   Okay somebody pinch me this Michael Jackson Hairdresser Experience has GOT to be a dream.     People are bopping around the salon.  It was totally amazing!  

A totally amazing MJ haircut Experience.   Thank you God!     I needed that!   It is June 28th, 2011.

Reflecting on this day...

First thing this morning I watched a documentary on cable (8 am) about Michael Jackson History King of Pop.  Parts were great but parts were annoying…can't they leave portions out if they haven't verified the facts…just stuff like how MJ picked the names Prince,  when I think I read MJ say the name Prince came from great grandparents.  (I write these messages for my sanity and for my MJTP friends to respond, inform me…it is all for l.o.v.e.   I guess this is like my sanity journal.   God Help Us All. ) 

Anyway, I bought the DOT dogtag about 2 years ago here at MJTP for just $10 bucks.  I have worn it for almost 2 years….I am surprised it has not turned my neck green, but the chain was tarnished after all this time, so I to commemorate two years  of Michael Jackson being "passed away" with this sterling silver DOT dogtag chain.   The jeweler told me saw MJ 3 times in concert….Grrrr, But  I saw him once, so I am blessed.  And the Jeweler shared with me the time MJ went in the bank next door and one of his customers bought a watch for Michael.  

I rushed home to watch the J5 on Soul Train same as 40 years ago.  This time on cable tv.   Michael's voice was like a cherub angel.  Gotta get out and about so  drove by the Hit Factory  Criteria where parts of Invincible were recorded and then on to the Aventura Mall.  That is next to  Turnberry where that dreadful "Living with Michael" was made ...but we have the outtakes that tell the truth.  Right?  Anyway I wore my This Is It red Mission shirt  with the big "M" on the front (you know lion, crowns, wings and sequinsMJ wore in TII!)...   and the sales person noticed!   So I wonder why I went to "The Mall".   I am on the escalator and this little boy falls down  on the moving stairs and is trying to claw his way up the escalator with fear on his face… I think gotta help, in spite of back sprain…so I move down about four stairs and pick him up under the shoulders and stand him up til we get to the end of the elevator.   ( I remember many years ago I saw a lady who fell  on an escalator but I could not help and when it got to the end of the escalator it cut her legs.  I am not sure the parents that were already at the bottom of the stairs understood where I was coming from to help their child, but thefather  thanked me. One ARC for today.  (Act of Random Kindness from Evan Almighty)

Now I have two hours before the Wiz…sooo ...Choose a dvd…Lets see...

Moonwalker it is!   Aaahhh..Moonwalker…I remember when the movie was in my neighborhood.   It starts with the exact same clip as at the end of This Is It.  So I guess Moonwalker is good choice for today.  Medley of Man In the Mirror, pictures of John Lennon, US Presidents, World leaders, Ed Sullivan, Dancing Machine,  Mick Jagger's duet  in State of  Shock, ET, We Are The World.  "  Michael singing...We've been together for such a long time now... music ... music and me…"   So Many memories.

"Badder" done by the kids (Jermaine Jackson Jr one of them), and Speed Demon  with   MJ's giggle "I gotta go!" and the dance dual with the rabbit!   Then the best... Smooth Criminal  …some major dance steps there…Annie is (NOT) okay.   Can't  just observe on that one , gotta get up and try the dance!  I think I'm getting better thanks to Anthony King and The Experience - school on the kinect.  Thank you God for my "toys"…I believe I am in my second childhood and would not have it any other way!   

NEXT ON MOONWALKER...COME TOGETHER... Holy COW!!!!  It just does not get any better than that !!! Weak in the knees.   Somebody throw a bucket of water on me, PLEASE!

 Trivia Question…Who are the guys at the end of Moonwalker  that tap groove  (?) to something that sounds like "The Moon Is Walking Moon is Dancing Come and See"???  That is good stuff, true root of rhythm!

  L.O.V.E. it!

I received an email from my friends from MJTP and ************** that they went to Neverland and Disney.  I guess today was Forrest Lawn Holly Terrace.  I hope my flowers and cards made it.  Maybe I will be able to go next year to be with MJTP friend fans of MJ.  

For the finale to this very tough day I watched the 30th Anniversary of Michael Jackson.  I was mesmerized when MJ performed.  Billie Jean was genius.   I have seen it a couple times before, but suddenly you realize you are sitting there with your mouth open jaw dropping like it is the very first time.

Then another Minute of Silence for MJ at midnight.  God Help Us All.  And thank you God for the time "we had him with us for Michael to share his God given talent".    We miss you Michael Joseph Jackson.  We L.O.V.E. you more.

It would have been a typical end of the work week, but it was June 24th.  

Day began with listening to the next song on the current Michael Jackson cd playing in the car on the drive to the gym.  "Earth Song" .   

Then at the gym on the treadmill I read BibleGateway for the day about Abraham,  and then try to get the second track of Royal Brunei dvd to play on my mini dvd player that... yup hangs over the tv on the treadmill…(Hey you gotta do what ya gotta do!)    The dvd gets stuck and then only will only start on …"Earth Song"   

At work the new guy asks what type music I like, so I say "music with a message like for instance when Michael Jackson sings …'What about Abraham' in Earth Song".   And then I get home from work and google Michael Jackson and what pops up?   Yup you guessed it…Joe Vogels  "Remembering Michael Jackson:  The Story Behind His Magnum Opus"…it is about  how, when and where Michael conceived "Earth Song".    Coincidental?…I don't know…Earth Song was to be MJ's last song in This Is It.   So surreal…and yet "so" real…

Michael Jackson  August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009  -    Forever  ….as long as Earth still has a Song and beyond!

It is all for L.O.V.E.      God Bless.

Today was just one of those days.  The alarm clock woke me up playing "whats become of the broken hearted...what happens when love has parted..." (or something like that)   and it's not even your song Michael Jackson but brought tears to my eyes as I am just waking up.  Music in the car...Keep your Head UP.  Get out the Kleenex.      Later some reading in John 9 about this guy was blind and the Rabbi was asked "who sinned?  This man or his parents that he was born blind"  And the answer was "neither, the man nor his parents sinned" said Jesus..."this happened so the works of God might be displayed in him."   Kind of explains why some things happen to those less fortunate and even those like you Michael with vitiligo  or other things that happened...I think so the works of God might be displayed.

Then here I am at physical therapy and another song brings tears to my eyes...Mariah Carey's rendition of "I'll be there" .   I have heard that a dozens of times on the radio.  Never affected me that way.  So there I am trying to do these exercises to strengthen the back and the waterworks start.  What is up with me today?  Then I realized----today is the 25th.  May 25th one month and it will be 2 years.  

God Help Us All.

I don't want to leave this day without mentioning the funny thing that happened....a good friend of mine (1/3 my my age) texted me to tell me...she was pulled out of chemistry class to go help the Seniors in Band who were trying to get the words right to Man in The Mirror!   Hoorah...I was lol for sure! 

It is all for L.O.V.E.

To My DOT friends... Thanks for "listening in" to my message to Michael Jackson.

Hello all My DOT friends and Michael,

I seem to have a real Michael Jackson happening every day about you Michael, but here is one I thought I would share....

I finally went to Physical Therapy after  a "sprained back"  diagnosis from trying to lift a table extender to get ready for company coming about  a month ago.    Maria, the Physical Therapist  asked me to twist and turn and lift every extremity in  all kinds of new ways to analyze what treatment I needed.   " Put hands on hips-  turn to the right - turn to the left. Lift right leg, lift left leg, now up on your toes."   WWHHHAAATT?   I could not resist!  Bad back or not...I did the "MJ on the toes pose"  almost 3 seconds (okay maybe 2 seconds),  but the immediate response  from my Physical Therapist Maria was raised eyebrows, big smile …"Michael Jackson!"   I said yeah…long story!   Giggle Giggle!!!  

Then, professionally she said, " okay do 3 reps of 15 of these and 3 reps of 15 of those... now up on the table….I shrieked!   Maria said "What's wrong"   I said  "Nothing"!  Billie Jean is playing on your radio!   "Oh you scared me", Maria said.    She said "I have been a Michael Jackson fan all my life."  She got all misty eyed.   "I bought every Michael Jackson  button there ever was," Maria said.   I asked her age and then apologized before the response.   "30"   Here I am at 60 and we are on the same page.      I followed up with my normal response from the abyss of my soul,   "I know, I can't explain the affect Michael Jackson has made on my life.  I went to the Victory Tour concert at the Orange Bowl in '84 and I don't know what happened to me  on June 25th, I could not stop crying.   I went on YouTube and stumbled on this Anthony King MJ style dance dvd.   I started trying the moves every day after work to get off the couch --crying.  I would also put on an MJ dvd concert and --try-- to keep up.   I lost 45 lbs.  I read the Bible more.  Michael said we should be more like Jesus and he always thanked God for his talent." 

Maria said "I have always loved Michael Jackson."   She paused …"He was only trying to get some sleep."   She had to move on to the next patient, client, whatever you call us, but there was that deep connection that only MJ can do.  She gave me her card and said she would help me with a program.  I think I have made a new friend.    Next PT I will tell her about the MJTP. 

And now I am watching Haley sing "Earth Song" on American Idol.

Michael Jackson, it is all for L.O.V.E.

Every Day - All Day, God Help Us, and God Bless Us All

Michael Jackson,

As we are so grateful for your August 29, 1958 birth, we reflect on your poem "Mother" from your book Dancing the Dream

Eons of time I've been gestating...

To take a form been hesitating...

From the unmanifest this cosmic conception

On this earth a fantastic reception

And then one fateful August morn

From your being I was born

With tender love you nurtured a seed

To your own distress you paid no heed

Unmindful of any risk or danger

You decided upon this lonely stranger

Rainbows, clouds, the deep blue sky,

Glittering birds that fly on high

Out of fragments you've made my whole

From the elements you fashioned my soul

Mother dear, you gave me life

Because of you, no struggle or strife

You gave me joy and position

Cared for me without condition

And if I ever change this world,

It's from the emotions you've unfurl'd

Your compassion is so sweet and dear

Your finest feelings I can hear

I can sense your faintest notion

The wondrous magic of your love position

And now that I have come so far

Met with every king and czar

 Encountered every color and creed

Of every passion, every greed

I go back to that starry night

You taught me how to stand and fight

For every single wrong and right

Every day without a hold

I will treasure what you've mold

I will remember every kiss

Your sweet words I'll never miss

No matter where I go from here

You're in my heart, my mother dear

MJ, I don't want to write... a message ... I WANT YOU BACK.... But then, this is not about me..

Michael Joseph Jackson, We Thank You, "Big Thank You’s" for the Joy, unconditional L.O.V.E., the Memories and Magic --- then, now and forever.

Our hearts and minds are still broken since you "were passed away"

physically from this planet. Quite frankly, I can’t believe you survived as long as you did because you had to daily deal with mean spirited, money hungry, inhuman beings that managed to wedge themselves between you and your purpose on earth. They robbed Prince, Paris, Blanket and your whole family of what might have been a long time together & left so many of us with this huge hole in our hearts. I pray for God to give us---your family, friends and fans--- strength, so that we might not, even in the slightest way, become mean like them because we are angry at them , but instead carry on and keep your legacy alive. Heal The World! Then, "Be God’s glow", or "There comes a time when we heed a certain call…God has shown us by turning stones to bread", or "Forty days & forty nights", and "What about the holy land…what about Abraham?", "Hold me like the River Jordan", even Dangerous "sharp as a two-edged sword…I have to pray to God" and "how many struggles must there be before we live the prophets plan" in HIStory dvd credits, thanking Katherine, your Dad Joseph and your "Spiritual Father God" and, in Speechless "all is possible if God is on my side…Hallowed Ground…Humbled in your Grace". How about lyrics in Keep the Faith, If’n I Was God or An Angel Came To Me and, don’t even get me started on the poems. What Pop Rock Soul (whatever) Entertainer uses language like that? Only Michael Jackson does, a genius that was in our midst spreading hope and L.O.V.E.I guess this is about me. I cry more, I laugh more (try), I sing & dance more, give more, pray more, and thank God more. I feel privileged to be alive at the same time as a true genius. In trying to cope, I started (trying) to follow along with you on your dvd's (and lost 45 pounds), but, I wish I were to wake up tomorrow to find this had all been just a really bad dream. Instead, you were headed back to your homeland, with a This Is It tour. I must thank Kenny Ortega and company (Travis Payne and dancers and musicians) for allowing us to get a glimpse into Michael’s final performances, compelling us to be concerned for our planet and, to show us that, Man, Oh Man, MJ Still Had "IT", with his joking around and, providing humble guidance followed by all those "God Bless You’s".

We Thank You, Michael Jackson for helping us "SEE the music" and for the inspiring lyrics you shared with us. You told us over and over you could not take credit, and thanked God for allowing you to be the "source through which it comes." The other day, I stumbled upon lyrics "turn swords into plowshares" (in Micah 4) and had wondered where you came up with that one in

Michael Jackson, even though I could only make it to one concert, the personal affect was amazing, so, at the end of the day,

Michael Jackson, we miss you so very badly, and, We L.O.V.E. you more… really, you must know that.