A Warm Spring Day In Neverland......

Last night, upon hearing the news that Michael Jackson passed into the great amusement park in the sky, Brad and I rushed into the studio to take live phone calls. We invited listeners to call in and share their favorite memories of this great artist and tell us their favorite song of his.

Many listeners regaled us with stories of their dressing up as him for Halloween or trying to learn to moonwalk on their linoleum kitchen floor. We all have our memories of the Great MJ. I have saved my most favorite, and special memory of Michael Jackson for this blog.

During the spring of 1996 I received a letter in the mail. The envelope was edged in gold and smelled faintly of lavender. The return address was listed as Neverland Ranch in California and I realized that my dream had come true. Michael had finally written back to me after all these years. I trembled as I impatiently ripped open the envelope and held my breath as I reached inside. A first-class ticket was enclosed to California along with a handwritten note that stated simply, "I hope to see you soon. You are a special little boy."

I held my breath and shook with excitement. I decided to rush inside and pack immediately. My mother stopped me on the stairs and asked where the fire was. I pushed her out of the way and explained that I was going to a better place. A place with orangutans, an indoor movie theater and a freshly pressed sequin glove laid upon your pillow every night.
"But it's the start off your summer vacation! Won't you miss your friends? Archery camp starts next week!" She said as she stood in the doorway.

I knelt down beside my bed and retrieved my duffel bag. "Listen lady, I have waited my whole life for this moment and I am not going to let you get in the way of me fulfilling my dreams!"

"But you are only nine years old! How do you even know what you want?" My mother frantically paced my bedroom as I continued packing. "We were going to go to Yellowstone this summer!"

I laughed at her innocence. How could a national park and a spout in the ground compete with the Man in the Mirror? "Mother, please. I have had enough of your coddling. It's time to let me go."

I arrived in California with nothing to my name but my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle duffle bag ful of play clothes and an expectant attitude. A black cargo van embellished with a large lightning bolt on the side was waiting for me outside. I immediately knew it was for me. I approached it with confidence and climbed inside the van. I sank into the red velvet upholstery and helped myself to the mini bar that was nestled beside the personal stereo. A cigarette and a glass of champagne was exactly how I wanted to remember the start of this adventure.

I must have fallen asleep because my next memory is of pulling through a wrought iron gate and seeing a line of smartly dressed personnel lined up awaiting my arrival. I was surprised at how well Michael must know me. He knew I enjoyed such pomp and circumstsance! He truly was my soul mate.

I exited the van and was lead into the grand foyer. I approached a purple velevet throne tentatively. It was situated amongst the shadows and I could barely make out the slight figure that was primly seated on the throne. As I walked toward the chair I was met with my hero wearing nothing but a regal robe and a smile. My prince was waiting. My prince.

It is now where I leave you wondering about the rest of my trip. That summer we shared shall forever remain between the two of us. Those sultry nights spent walking the beach, those evening spent languishing in each others arms as we watched the "Music Man" in his theater, those mirthful days we spent feeding the llamas....all those memories are alive within me.

He is gone forever and I will never be able to look at a jacket filled with zippers the same way. He taught me how to love and most importantly, taught me the importance of diapering your chimpanzee.