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MJ-Beautiful soul.
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An Adventure Of A Lifetime
by Sheila Berthelsen
When young, I often dreamt of meeting Michael Jackson, but honestly never thought this would happen. Our needs were met, but definitely not a family of means.
I was fortunate enough to take my son, Dagan, to see the Bad Tour when it came to Houston, Texas. This was my son's 10th birthday. What a wonderful show. When Michael faced his dilemma and left the U.S., I promised myself that should he ever return, I would be there. Talk of him appearing for the millennium in Hawaii began and I began to make arrangements to attend. This event did not come to pass. However, the 30th Anniversary Celebration became reality and I was definitely there. This was my first meeting of Michael Jackson. What a wonderful evening it was.
I became more and more involved in the Jackson world, namely with a fan club from Belgium, "The Magical Child". I became one of their U.S. contacts and team member. Word spread of a birthday party for Michael in Los Angeles and Michael was definitely to attend. Preparation began for the flight and stay in Los Angeles. I worked with The Magical Child and other fan club members decorating Michael's room where he would be arriving and staying until he chose to take his seat in the Orpheum Theater balcony. We had fun and the excitement began to build as we decorated the room. I personally, along with my best friend, Wanda, ran around town getting cleaning supplies, gathering flowers for the room as well as other items we could use to make this room fit for a king while others had their jobs to do. The following morning, a select few that had helped with the party, were to board a bus for a trip inside Neverland.
The party was a success. Michael seemed to have enjoyed himself tremendously as did all the fans that had attended the birthday event. We went back to the hotel and before we knew it, we were awake and preparing to board the bus to Neverland. The drive was a long one but the excitement lurking inside kept my mind focused on getting to see Neverland. I turned to tell Wanda to write down the directions and at the same time she had turned toward me to say the same thing. She got out pen and paper and began to write. This was our first time ever to even go to Neverland, not to mention get to go inside so we were extremely excited and grateful to have been invited by two wonderful ladies from TMC, Marijke and Marina (Thank You).
The bus pulled up to a gate. Oh my goodness !!! We were there. I had always seen the beautiful Neverland gates and would have never guessed we would enter through "normal" gates. Michael must have really put some thought into the design and his privacy. The bus entered the gates and then stopped. Everyone on the bus was briefed by Neverland security and then we drove further. Ahhh, yes !!! The beautiful gates I had always seen were right there in front of me. We exited the bus, walked through the gates and I immediately saw a tiny fawn that was only two days old. It was so young, that we were unable to pet it. Two elephants were being escorted by and we saw pelicans enjoying the water. I glanced over, and to my amazement, there was the tree where Michael would sit and write his music, the giving tree. It was huge.
It was then time to board the train. We took a short ride to a location where we were to have lunch. We all had our lunch and we were then told we were on our own and to have fun. I remember thinking, "I wonder where are all the cameras?", so throughout the day, I smiled and waved to tree branches, flower arrangements, etc. As we were venturing out, a lady said she found a place to smoke and I didn't care for a cigarette. My mind was on not wasting one single second of this magical day. (Since this trip, I've become a non-smoker.)
Wanda, Denise and myself walked over to begin our day at the arcade. Once inside, Wanda and myself wanted a photo inside a photo machine. The machine is one like you would see in a shopping mall, you pay $1.00 or $2.00 and get four small pictures. I tried to find a place to put money in, but the machine did not take money. It was free! By this time I had began to feel guilty that I had eaten food that was not paid for and now I was wanting a picture that I couldn't pay for. Wanda and I stepped into the photo booth and realized it was one in which you choose an artist to paint your portrait. We chose Leonardo and the work began. It was awesome to watch this portrait coming to fruition before our eyes. Dot after dot after dot and finally - an amazing picture of the both of us. Truly something I have not seen out in the real world.
We stopped and watched a few people play games and made our way too the next building which a candy shop. I noticed many characters hanging from the ceiling and on the walls such as Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Tinkerbell just to name a few. I can't recall if they were in both the arcade and the candy shop, along the way to the candy shop or just in the candy shop. By this time, we were totally mesmerized and details are very clear, however, the exact room they were in doesn't seem to be clear. It was truly like a visit to a mini Disney Land. I did take one piece of candy as a souvenir and once again felt guilty for taking it without being able to pay.
Our next stop, a snow cone and off to the rides. We began with the "Zipper". I love this ride, unfortunately, Wanda wasn't as enthusiastic about it but she did ride it with me. I was very proud of her for taking a chance. This ride goes around and two people sit in a car that is basically a cage. Once it begins going around, the cage begins to spin and flip. What fun !!! Just about the time the rides stops and you think you're getting out, it begins again in the opposite direction. Finally the ride was over. I admit I was a bit disappointed, however, Wanda was relieved and feeling just a bit nauseated so we decided to go to the theater and watch a movie.
The movie "Ghost" was playing and it was surreal. It was as if Michael himself was there singing the song directly to us. The quality of the screen and sound was unparallel to any I've experienced in the past. I noticed behind me, hospital beds where the sick children were able to lie and experience the awesome theater leaving no one out. Yes, Michael had thought of everything.
After the movie, we walked down to the petting zoo. Sadly, it had closed for the day. We were fortunate enough to see a beautiful black stallion that was full of life and oh so shiny. We passed the snake house where Madonna lived but I don't do snakes so we kept on walking until we came upon a bench where we sat down to take a rest. Both Wanda and I decided we had had too much sugar and needed just plain water so we headed back toward the area where the rides were. We stopped at the movie theater to get water and then off to ride the swings. Again, Wanda was hesitant, but she did ride and again, I was extremely proud of her for trying. We had so much fun. When the ride had stopped, Wanda wanted to go again so we rode again.
Finally, we asked one of the security where Michael's house was and he said "you passed it when you came in". We walked back toward the front gates and did see his house. It is not what most would imagine for a star of this caliber such as huge and elaborate, yet large and quaint. We sat on a bench by the pool and just enjoyed the sunshine and the breeze. All was so peaceful. I realized in my heart why Michael loved this place so much. The peace, the serenity, the tranquility; a place where your thoughts can run wild without the hustle and bustle of the city. We then sat next to the swimming pool and I felt in awe realizing Michael, himself, had swam there and had probably walked where I was sitting.
It was time to leave. Sadness came over me like a rush of cold water being poured over my head. I was leaving Michael's world to return to my world. At the same time, I felt honored to have been able to visit the home of such a giving person. Michael Jackson is a person who has opened his home and heart to those in need time and time again. We boarded the train and I realized tears were streaming down my face as I looked at the tree and said "goodbye Michael" (this time hoping a camera was truly placed there). As we were exiting the train, Michael arrived at his home. None of us were able to speak to him, just got a glance of him walking into his house. We boarded the bus and I noticed others were crying right along with me. This was a day given to bring courage to my friend who prior to this was afraid of the rides. It was a day to begin my thoughts of quitting smoking. It was a day where much magic was noticed and a dream realized. What a day? What an adventure? A day in my life that I will remember forever.
Source: www.mjfanclub.net/home/index.php?op...ries&Itemid=136
Edited by ArcoIris - 22/4/2018, 03:24
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Sheila Berthelsen - L'avventura della vita.. visita a Neverland |
