Elvis - A Lighted Candle

[maia]

I just wrote this article. I cried when I wrote it, but not for Elvis. I cried for myself and the memory of that experience which I shared with him, and in recalling it now, has renewed by FAITH.

http://www.elvislightedcandle.org/theman/testamentoflight.htm

[Rainbow Light]

Maia,

Very moving and just goes to show Elvis' beautiful spirit of this man and how his Faith helped him right to the end of his earthly life. Reading many of the books he loved brings you closer to an understanding of how deeply spiritual this wonderful man was.

In spite of what was being done to him by many, Elvis remained in close contact with his Lord, Jesus Christ. Elvis gave so many so much and so much of himself and, at times, under great stress and personal harm to his body, mind and spirit.

But, it is said that as you give you get as much back to be able to give yet more in return. Jesus knew Elvis' pain and sacrifice, what he would give every day and every performance when Elvis was in such agony with all his illnesses specially the cancer and so on.

That Christ Consciousness, the Higher Self, enabled Elvis to continue right through to the end. We are all familiar with how Elvis would pray before the shows, sing gospel songs in his room late at the night with the backing groups. I am sure this would have been of some help and comfort to him, hope so for sure anyway.

I understand that you saw many concerts, but did you see many in 1977? Did you know much what was happening 'behind the scenes', so to speak, at the time, or did you learn as the years went by about all that was going on. I was aware of it but not to the degree I have read about within the lighted candle website and understand, as you say, it is not intentioned to hurt or cause distress, more to understand how strong Elvis' spirit was to be able to deal with so much. Faith and his love of the Lord Jesus was enough to keep him going with a resilient, loving and even forgiving spirit.


God Bless, Sue

[maia]

Actually the last live concert I saw was in 1975. This is a little mis-leading in the article...I didn't mean it to be, didn't even think of it until after I had put the article up on ELC. But In comparing my '75 experience with others' '77 experience, the same thing was going on in 1975 as in 1977. (I just qualified this in the article).

I knew SOME of what was going on at the time...but not as much as I learned later on.

[Rainbow Light]

Sure, no problem. It was evident that, particularly in the last few years of his life, Elvis had health and other personal problems.

The concerts must have been awesome experiences even so though, even with all the dark stuff going on all around but then all the more credit to our guy for being how he was and giving 200% or more into his performances and wow, I bet they were something else!

All the best, White Swan

[maia]

Yes, he certainly gave his all right to the end. After at least one on tour show, Elvis felt that the sound in the place had been terrible and so he wanted to give all the money back! Horrified "they" said, "But Elvis, you can't do that!"

[Rainbow Light]

Hey, why doesn't this surprise me?! If he'd have been able to do so he would've we can be sure but bless his heart!!!.

Wish some of today's music 'stars' could be even half as caring and considerate of their admirers today but again this just goes to prove there will and can NEVER be another ELVIS, right?!

I have a tribute to Elvis, like a poem I wrote sometime ago, 'The Brightest Star in the Sky', will have to try and find it out if I can. Where would it be best to post if I can? I wanted to try and put it to music as a tribute song but have very basic music-reading skills. Not sure where I could get it set to music but would be nice if I could - any ideas or suggestions?

Best regards



Sue

[maia]

I have a tribute to Elvis, like a poem I wrote sometime ago, 'The Brightest Star in the Sky', will have to try and find it out if I can. Where would it be best to post if I can? I wanted to try and put it to music as a tribute song but have very basic music-reading skills. Not sure where I could get it set to music but would be nice if I could - any ideas or suggestions?

I will create a forum for this entitled SWEET INSPIRATION. By the time you read this it should be showing on the main page.

Wish I could be of help about the music, but don't know of anyone this writes music.

[Rainbow Light]

Here's a man that, despite pain and so much illness, heartbreak and loss, gave so much MORE than ever should have been expected. Oh, he did it - that was OUR Elvis, giving till he could give no more but whether he should have done is another matter!

Despite his voice being stronger and, I believe, more powerful than ever -specially 'How Great Thou Art', to see him and know that he was in so much pain and suffering is nothing short of heartbreaking.

But then that IS our Elvis and would we ever have wanted to change him for the world? NEVER!

[Barbara Lea]

What I don't understand is where was Elvis's dad when these men were doing these things to Elvis? I thought that Elvis even had some police with him at these concerts? Why weren't there someone there to stop this Aweful Stuff? Barb

[Rainbow Light]

I don't honestly think the blame for what was happening can be laid at Vernon's door and believe Elvis would've been as caring and protective of his father as anyone else in his family and group so would not have wanted Vernon to know.

However, can see your point, Barb, and am. frankly, just as puzzled!

Where on earth was anybody? and surely there was someone around who could help or could've at least called for help or assistance? Elvis had the mm and a big group of guys who were well built, stocky, and some specially trained in karate/martial arts disciplines who should have been there to PROTECT Elvis! So, er, where were they at the time our man was being attacked and got at?!!

[Barbara Lea]

I know that Elvis was a Black Belt in Karate, and knew how to use a gun. It just Blows my mind that Elvis didn't Kick some Butt when these Jerks were man Handling him, and I expect that Elvis had a gun handy at all times. So to me he would have use one at this time, because it would have certainly been Self Defence. One more thing if people seen these Jerks Forcing Elvis into this Room, why didn't they go for some kind of Help. I know if I had seen this going on, I would have tried to Stop it in any way I could. A QUESTION! Just how Long did Elvis have to go through this kind of TREATMENT? Barb

[Barbara Lea]

Were most of the MM involved in Elvis being Attacked like this? I have to wonder, especially the ones that have brought out thr TRASHY BOOKS! Barb

[maia]

I remember my Vegas friend (she was a close friend of Felton Jarvis among others near Elvis) telling me in 1974 that when Elvis "rebeled" they tried to sedate him, but he was too difficult to hold down ("they" in this instance were some of the mm whose names I won't mention). So at least some of the mm were on a payroll other than Elvis'. Then in the last few years of his life as his illness progressed he obviously COULD be held down. Especially if some of his "medication" had been switched to cause Elvis to become more managable.

[Barbara Lea]

I have been watching the Aloha From Hawaii Concert, and on the second dvd they showed Elvis going through some of the songs he was going to sing in the concert. I noticed a couple of times that the hand he was holding th Mic with would jerk, and he would shake that hand I had never seen him do this before. I know he always had Stage Fright, and I can only imagin he probaly had a Double Dose of Stage Fright doing the Aloha Concert, so I was wondering if June or Maia would know if he had Arthrites in his hands and that was the reason for the jerking and shaking of his hands? I have always had a pretty good idea that some of the MM were being paid from other people, and I figured that is why none of them were there to help Elvis. I know that without a doubt even though these certain MM were involved in this Aweful Stuff, that Elvis still would forgive them. But I 'am having a very tough time in doing this myself, I just Thank God that Elvis well never have to go through this again. Even though I Wish With All of My Heart, Mind and Soul, that he could still be here in the Flesh just long enough for me to have had the chance to look into those Beautiful Blue Eyes, and to have seen him Smile that Gorgeous Smile at Me. I wouldn't have Minded a Kiss either! Thanks Maia for making things a little more clear to me. Barb

[Wanda June Hill]

Hi,

Elvis often had shaking hands toward the last few years-he did have some pain from performing, swinging his arms and gripping the microphone night after night-but yes, he was very nervous doing that show. He wanted to be good, to look his best and he did it. He was awed by the thought of performing for "the world" and then he had the glaucoma "attack" right on rehearsal day and had a bad headache and then had to have a needle stuck in his eye to drain the fluid out so he could do the show without extreme pain from the lighting. And then his retina detached partially and that hurt like having "a finger stuck in my eye" he said and he couldn't move a round much because his balance was off from his vision messing up. So there he was, "the world" and he was fighting physical things! But it turned out good for him-and he was pleased with it pretty much. He did feel badly because he realized that he and Pris were not going to get back together-and he needed to know that in his mind if not in his heart. I kind of think he hoped that something that big a deal would bring her back-he was feelling vunerable and scared by the idea of the "world" watching him, and like anyone, he wanted to pull in as much family support as he could. But it was mostly his eyes that really bothered him-during the show-it didn't really show if you didn't know-he kept it under control and he sang beautifully. I thought he would put more action into it but then when he told me what had happened, and that he couldn't do much-and he said, besides "don't you think it's time I started actin' my age and quit trying to be a "rock star"? I said no-
you never were a "rock star"-you're Elvis Presley! And he laughed- that cute giggle too and said, Thank you honey, I'll try 'n remember that. wjh