CHILDREN SPEAK OF MEMORIES AND LOVE FOR MICHAEL JACKSON

Many people still think that Michael wrote only “Moonwalker” and “Dancing The Dream.” He indeed has been involved in the prefaces of books of various gender. In 1993, Michael wrote the introduction of Pigtails and Frog Legs, a cookbook for families published by Neiman Marcus and illustrated by Warner Bros. Cartoon artist Chuck Jones.

 

“To a child, food is something special. It isn’t just a delicious taste or the vitamins that build a healthy body. Food is love and caring, security, and hope — all the things that a food family can provide. Remember when you were little, and your mother made a pie for you? When she cut a slice and put it on your plate, she gave you a bit of herself in the form of her love. She made your hunger go away, and when you were full and satisfied, everything seemed all right. Because that satisfied feeling was in the pie, you were nourished from a deep level. Food is something we all need physically, but so is love, the deeper nourishment, that turns into who we are.
Think about how necessary it is to nourish a child with a bit of yourself when you use this book. It is full of delicious things. Every recipe has an extra ingredient of caring because the people who wrote them were thinking of the children. They were especially thinking of those who aren’t able to take nourishment for granted because they are poor, sick, or disabled. These are the children who need food to heal. The theme of ‘Heal the World’, which has been close to my heart, is also the central theme of this book. Here are recipes for the spirit. Please make them with that in mind. Your child is a growing spirit that can be knit strong with love. When you break an egg and measure a cup of flour, you are magically mixing the gift of life. The food’s proteins and minerals will turn into bones and muscles, but your feeling as you cook will turn directly into a soul.

It makes me happy to think that the needs of children’s spirits are at last becoming important in this world. Children have no power to end wars directly or to mend age-old differences.
All they can do is be themselves and shine with gratitude and joy when love is turned their way. Yet isn’t that ultimately the greatest power? In the eyes of a child, you become the source of joy, which lifts you into the special category of caregiver and life-provider. You may think that your apple pie has only sugar and spice in it. A child is wiser — with the first bite, he knows that this special dish is the essence of your love.
Enjoy!
Michael Jackson, 1993 

Michael was able to capture the beauty and magic of anything, even in a recipe book. Just a few words that catch your soul from the first to the last syllable. Michael was indeed a mix of magic, sensitivity, and infinite depth. He was able to convey an important message through straightforward concepts and could see beyond, giving importance and value to small things, crucial, and often forgotten. His words are so full of meaning, elevating a simple recipe book into a universal message of love.

When MJ writes, “Food is something we all need physically, but so is love, the deeper nourishment, that turns into who we are,” goes further, explaining the difference between unprocessed industrial food and meals made out with love and healthy products. I find it totally ahead of his time and very aware of the harmful effects of fast foods and other very poor industrial groceries awful for health too. Today the market is filled with organic products and detailed information, but in 1993 it was very far from being the case.

The ability to express great concepts with simple words and images is the main reason MJ’s art is popular within children. For a clear understanding, there’s nothing better than reading what children said about him through the years.

• Ngoc Linh, won a Pepsi-sponsored singing contest to become one of five Vietnamese teens sent to Thailand for a chance to perform with Michael Jackson on his 1993 Dangerous World Tour in Bangkok.

The first time she saw Jackson, he drove by and waved to the kids from a Tuk -Tuk (motorized rickshaw).
“It was just a few seconds, but that made us very happy,” said Linh.
Linh was chosen that day as one of only four kids who would perform alongside Jackson on stage. She and a Thai child were scheduled to perform the first night.
In the evening, Linh and the other kids introduced themselves at a press conference.
“I was extremely nervous… I felt happy and proud when they asked me many interesting questions and showed me affection.”
Jackson then asked to meet Linh. They shook hands, and he asked her about Vietnam and her feelings about the upcoming show. “It was awesome!” said Linh.

But she also said she regrets not keeping a photo of the meeting, though she stayed up all that night thinking about her encounter with the King. The big night. On the night of the show, Linh was incredibly anxious as she watched Jackson’s performance. He opened the show by flying out on stage from the basement. “It was amazing,” said Linh.
Jackson then sang 20 songs without a break before announcing the last number, “Heal the World.” Jackson came backstage and held Linh and the Thai singer’s hands. “Let’s start to sing, ok?” he said.
And with that, the three of them closed the show with one of Michael Jackson’s most famous songs.‘ magic day out.’
(Original Source: Thanh Nien News)

• Thanks to a Michael Jackson project, this girl found the strength to realize her dreams of overcome poverty. In Lidia Kight’s childhood, there were no vacations to Disney World, no piles of Christmas presents, no closets stuffed with shoes and clothing. She was born in a one-room shack with dirt floors, and she was lucky to have food in her belly or a pencil to take to school.

Lidia grew up in the Dominican Republic, barely a two-hour flight from Miami, but it might as well have been another planet. Now 41 and living in Jackson, Lidia has a driver’s license, a high school diploma, a job and a college degree in the works. She has carpeting on the floor, a refrigerator full of food, a hot shower every morning — and a big story to tell about how she got to this point in her life.

It started with a new pair of shoes and a dream. The shoes came from a project sponsored by Michael Jackson. Lidia and the other children also received a pair of socks, a backpack full of school supplies, and a small boombox that played Jackson’s music.

“A seed was planted in my heart. I knew I needed to get out of there,” she says. “I was determined to change something, and it was not going to happen if I stayed in the Dominican Republic. I came to believe I could do it.” http://www.semissourian.com/story/1748399.html

The warmhearted story of Daniele Parisi, a boy from  Italy diagnosed with AIDS at aged 8. The virus was transmitted from his biological mother, HIV-positive. Daniele was a big fan of Michael Jackson, and in 1997, when he was 14, he had the opportunity to attend a concert of the HIStory World Tour in Milan on June 18. On the same day, he and his mother entered Michael’s dressing room, where the star gave him kisses and hugs and thanked for the gifts they brought. Daniele and his adoptive mother attended the concert from one side of the stage, along with Debbie Rowe and Luciano Pavarotti. During the concert, an MJ team member gave Daniele a gift bag, including the tour program. Towards the end of the concert, during the song “Heal the World,” Michael went to Daniele, sitting in a chair unable to walk due to his illness’s weakness, knelt before him, and filled his hands with kisses. Then he picked him up and walked to the center stage, posing for several photos.

After this experience, Daniele’s health has noticeably improved so fast that the doctors called it a miracle. It was as if Michael had given him a few years of life. Daniele started to walk again — sometimes even running — eating better (gaining weight), but most importantly, he gained the self-confidence to keep fighting and keep going. Unfortunately, Daniele died two years later from a brain infection due to the flu. The beautiful memories of Michael and his mother’s loving care gave him the strength to keep fighting until the end.

Here is what Antonietta Parisi, the adoptive mother of Daniele, wrote after the 2005 trial ruling:

Dearest Michael,
I’ll never forget what you did for my son, Daniele. After meeting you, the doctors called it a miracle, because, for some months, it was like he never had AIDS. Now that justice has been served, I just wanted to express my gratitude and my happiness. Please, don’t ever let people get at you like that again. I know you are kindhearted and want to help everyone, but not all people deserve so much attention. My child is not no more with us, but I know that he’s always looking over you from up there. He’s never forgotten what you did for him.
God bless you,
Antonietta (Italy)

Michael’s response to Antonietta:
Thank you for your testimony. May God always bless you and Daniele.
Michael Jackson

http://mjthekingofpop.wordpress.com/…ia-di-daniele/

Hailey and Ashley joined the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait in 2010. They both took part in the Michael’s Angels + New Generation of MJ Fans = L.O.V.E. incentive, collecting school supplies for the Children’s First Academy of Phoenix, Arizona. Both young ladies are Michael Jackson fans, advocates for animals, the environment, and proud members of the MJ community.

Heather: What is your favorite Michael Jackson song or songs?
Hailey: My favorite songs are, “They Don’t Care About Us,” “Dirty Diana,” “Ghosts, Thriller,” “Earth Song” and “Scream.”
Heather: Why are these songs your favorites?
Hailey: The first time I heard the “Earth Song,” I felt like it was a slap in the face. Very powerful song talking about the environment.
Heather: Why do you say, “It was like a slap in the face”?
Hailey: It was like a wake-up call, letting us know we must do more for the environment before it’s too late. I realized that I must do my part to make this world a better place, not only for people, but for animals too.
Heather: If you could pick any song out of those you listed, what song would you pick and why?
Hailey: “Scream” and “Ghosts.” I think Michael was singing about injustice. People judge too quickly without getting their facts straight. When you have one person that spreads gossip about another, the next person tells the story and it can become twisted. When you get to know Michael, you come to an understanding of what he really stood for; everything good. In his songs you will find he only wanted to help the planet and to help people. He had to deal with rumors on so many different levels, but yet, he still was nice to everyone and wished them well. I admire Michael for that.

Heather: Do you have any other thoughts about Michael or his music?
Hailey: Michael understood many things that even grownups don’t understand. He didn’t judge you by the color of your skin or the way you looked. I think he stood up for those who were scared to speak for themselves, saying that it is okay to be the person you are, and not to change ‘You’ for anyone.  thejamcafe-mjtpmagazine

LETTERS FROM THE HEART by Howard McCrary

Dear Michael,

My Daughter Sarah woke me up this morning at 7 am to tell me of your passing. I was hoping this was some type of publicity stunt that only you or Houdini could pull off.
I remember the first day we met in the summer of 1979 when my family as on tour with your family. The Jacksons and The McCrary’s. Did you know we used to be called The McCrary 5? Oh never mind, long story.
When my sister Charity introduced me to you with my brothers Alfred and Sam at that swanky Texas house party you asked me if I was married and I told you I was separated from my wife and we were going through a divorce. That’s when you folded your hands and said, “I will be praying for you.” Then you introduced me to your beautiful cousin Jackie and folded your hands again and said, “I’ll be praying for you.”
10 minutes later you went to the other side of the room and made the praying gesture and smiled as you pointed at your cousin. I remember you doing this two more times before finally saying good night again saying I will be praying for you.
Michael right now I am praying for you. I am praying for you beautiful parents you introduced me to at The Omni Hotel in Los Angeles on your 45th private birthday party the evening your sister Janet asked me to play ‘Triste’ and her fiancée Mr. Dupree seemed a little upset as she held both my hands to thank me from her heart for 2 or three full minutes for playing one of her favorite songs. It was so good to see Jackie that night and Tito and Randy too. Latoya was looking so beautiful as well. Every member of your family are so beautiful and gifted. I remember meeting up with Jermaine at Cocscos and as we shopped together we would talk all about you.
Do you remember that Christmas morning at your home in Beverley Hills when you and your children wanted to hear the children sing?
Seth Riggs called me and at your request asked me to arrange a choir of 12 children to sing at your home on Christmas morning.
I called my sister Charity and we contacted 12 of the best singing kids we knew, of course, some of them being our own family members.
We had less than 48 hours to rehearse a coordinate this private production before the children got into the limousines from me and Tammy’s home from Sherman Oaks to be convoyed to your Beverly Hills Estate.
Seth proudly was there that morning to vocalize all the young ones as I conducted as the children sang with charity accapella, ‘Heal The World, Silent Night, Santa Clause Is Coming to Town ( Jackson style)’ amongst other songs as they sang on you staircase and you and your children and family sat in that grand foyer combined with the Cathedral like acoustics I could hear additional voices of angels that morning. It was a sacred moment for us all.
As you hugged Charity and I to thank us we did a group hug with Seth and sumptuously enjoyed The Christmas Buffet you prepared for all of us. For these children it was a Christmas dream come true. If any of you children are reading this letter please share what that morning meant to you.
Your children Michael looked like cherubs.You were such a loving father.
Michael I could never understand how could the press could be so ruthless towards you. You are Michael The Angel.
I will never forget when I had the joy to work with Andre and Sandra Crouch on your Dangerous CD at Westlake Studio and we were recording the background vocals on ‘Keep The Faith’ and as Andre was conducting we came to an impasse for over 20 minutes until Andre turned to me and said, “Howard fix it!”
So I gave out the parts to the ascending figure of the word ‘FAITH’ leading to the release and you jumped up and down in the control room saying, “I Love It!”
It was that day you invited me up to the green room with my son Darius who was 12 years old at that time .He was part of a new TV sitcom called Family Matters and you told him, “I hear you have been hanging out with Bobby Brown, he is not a good influence. Here take my number and call me anytime. If you need someone to talk to or spend time with, I’ll be there. The only thing is when you call don’t ask for me or they won’t put you through, ask for Norma Jean, it’s the code name.”
For the rest of that day at West Lake Studios he spent with you and was in heaven.
All the way home he held your private phone number in his hands aglow and raving about his new awesome friend.
As soon as we got home he asked if he could call you and I said yes of course.
So very excitedly Darius dialed the number and ask for Michael…click! Then he remembered the code name, called back and asked for Norma Jean…click!
Even still to this day he talks about that wonderful day he spent with you at the studio and learned the lesson of how important it is to follow instructions.

Once again and lastly when you went to trial in Santa Barbara and it seemed like the whole world turned their backs on you at another session producer Bruce Swedien pulled my sister Linda and I to the side and said,
“Howard and Linda , don’t believe The Press. Michael is an angel… he would never hurt the children.”
I never stopped believing in you or the pure soul that you are. I remember when you thanked my sister Charity and I for bringing 10 busloads of ministers and some of their members to support you during your trial at The Santa Barbara Courthouse. We had singers singing on behalf of you innocence and ministers interceding on your behalf for justice.
Thank you for graciously hosting all of us at Neverland not once but twice as we came to show you how much we loved you and believed in your innocence.
It is an outrage what some people will do for money. Greed, Delusion, and Anger is something you wanted to see our world healed of. Michael it’s not too late. I know there are others like myself who believe in your dream that we can have a better world if we only Keep The Faith.
As I began writing this letter the sun was shining in Hong Kong and now as I close we are in a Typhoon…strange but Michael…I am not surprised you were always bigger than life and now we know that you are.
You and your music, your smile, your dance, but most of all your message will live in our hearts forever.
You not only are ‘The King of Pop’, you are also…’The King of Hearts’

https://www.howardmccrary.com

Above are just a few of the many children and people touched by the loving soul of Michael Jackson.

Michael was known for his divine way of dancing and singing,  providing indescribable emotions during his concerts. A great artist, but also a great man. Sensitive to our planet problematics with great anticipation about environmental degradation. A man that distributed huge benefits to charity organizations, helped children, and many people who were in need. That’s the way he deserves to be celebrated.