Even as I type this story...
Breaking News 2/4/2010: Conrad Murray visits Michael Jackson's Final Resting Place. Unbelievable. I'm getting conflicting reports that he was supposedly there yesterday afternoon, which would be seemingly false because we were there from 1:30 p.m. until the park closed. ET to show footage on today's broadcast. E! Online is reporting it happened today. Smells like a publicity stunt of the lowest form unless video was captured by a citizen witness. Stay tuned. Back to our regularly scheduled blog post.
Update 2/5/2010: Murray was there, at the Memorial Terrace, just a few yards away from the gathering of MJ fans I attended/documented in this story. Read my breakdown of how close he came to us here.
While Dr. Conrad Murray and his defense team prepare to surrender to authorities this week in Los Angeles in the impending case against him for the death of Michael Jackson, across town the King of Pop's loyal Southern California fans made their monthly pilgrimage to MJ's final resting place yesterday at Forest Lawn Glendale.
Their theme was Valentine's Day and they brought with them their largest haul of cards, flowers, stuffed animals, drawings and other tokens to date -- over 200 items in all, sent from MJ fans in 21 different countries.
Heidi Heidel, creator of the Michael Jackson Fans of Southern California Facebook group that facilitates the deliveries, told me that postal workers at the station where she picks up the mail are continually amazed at the volume and variety of incoming envelopes and packages.
Countries represented yesterday were USA, UK, Italy, South Korea, India, Hong Kong, Canada, Trinidad, Netherlands, China, Australia, France, Spain, Finland, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Belgium, Philippines, Hungary and Malaysia.
Despite earlier predictions of rain on Wednesday, the storm clouds held off and the fans were able to complete their mission under sunny skies and pleasant temperatures.
Their activity attracted the attention of several cemetery visitors, as well as new club members, dozens in all, who joined in on taking in the display as well as participating in a traditional prayer circle to summon the power of love, healing and justice for Michael.
Among them, two sets of parents with 3-month-old babies and an elderly woman who was visiting her son-in-law's grave on the nearby hillside. She spoke little English but told me, "Michael, I pray for him, a good man."
Members of the club have been coming to Forest Lawn on the 3rd of each month since October, a date that marks Michael's entombment in the Ascension Windows sanctuary on the Holly Terrace of the venerable Great Mausoleum.
The tradtion was started by Erin Jacobs and Kathy Lawson. Each month the visits gain momentum in the number of participants and items. Along the way, the club has developed a reputation for being respectful visitors while on the cemetery grounds, and in turn, a trusted working relationship with security personnel in regards to the cemetery's privacy policy.
I enjoy creating video interpretations of these monthly gatherings, letting the music choose itself as I edit the photos. With so many images this month I went with three songs, rather than cut short the love. Especially not on Valentine's Day. ;) ♥
Wow that was amazing! I`d absolutely love to visit there one day but unfortunately i live too far away :(
Thanks again Lisa, love your site x
Posted by: Shazza D | Feb 05, 2010 at 10:35
Oh Lisa, what a beautiful video for all the fans around the world. Im breathless. Thank you. I will soon visit FL Im lucky I don't live far away and soon I will see Holly Terrace. Love it, Love it, Love it. Thank you again.
Lori
Posted by: Lori McMahon | Feb 05, 2010 at 11:41
Great report, Lisa, as always. Your photos and videos are fabulous. And I'm glad Forest Lawn is allowing fans to gather and deliver their gifts.
Posted by: Mark Masek | Feb 05, 2010 at 16:10
Great reporting and photography, Lisa, as always. You do the whole thing proud. And I believe you are doing great work toward establishing better relations between those of us who grave hunt and the Forest Lawn staff. Through your reporting you are building a bridge of understanding between us all.
Posted by: Steve G | Feb 05, 2010 at 20:41
Amazing LISA! I saw the 2 guys in the black bronco with BIG cameras.....they were filming us.........it was closing time and the sun was about to start setting. Wonderful investigation work...
Posted by: Kalani Kathy | Feb 06, 2010 at 15:44
you guys make me cry I am sorry Michael I couldn't be there but my spirit is with you I love you and missed you very much . Thanks Lisa and Erin what you doing is unexplainable Love and hugs to all of you
Posted by: Eden Tedla | Feb 06, 2010 at 21:28
Thanks for the post Lisa.
How does someone send a card to MJ through this group? I live out of the U.S.
Posted by: Laura Murnoe | Feb 07, 2010 at 13:23
Hi Laura, you can send a card to this PO Box address:
MJ Mail
2470 Stearns Street #202
Simi Valley, California 93063
U.S.A.
Posted by: Lisa Burks | Feb 07, 2010 at 13:34
I love the videos and watching all the fans showing Michael love.Wish I could be there,I live in Texas and no way to travel at the moment.I am going to send some flowers though.When do they get delivered?Is there a certain time or date to send anything?
Posted by: Sharon Hall | Feb 07, 2010 at 14:39
Je n'ai qu'un souhait aujourd'hui : me rendre auprès de Michael que j'aime de tout mon coeur et qui me manque tellement. Vous avez l'air tous trés sympathiques et quelle chance vous avez de pouvoir y être ! Peut-être qu'un jour on se rencontrera à l'endroit où repose notre cher ange. Gros bisous de FRANCE à vous tous et toutes mes plus tendres pensées à mon MICHAEL adoré. CHRISTINE DE FRANCE
Posted by: Christine | Feb 11, 2010 at 08:55