Elvis - A Lighted Candle

[maia]

date: 1974
subject: When Momma Died

Elvis: When Momma died-I liked to never got over it. I mean, just the least little thing-a memory-something-ande it'ed be there hard as ever-painful and hurting me until-until I liked to have died myself. Then-then I met Priscilla and somehow, she made it all better. I could go on-I could look forward to the future, and she listened, talked to me about it and it got better. I guess that is part of-of our relationship-what it's all about. She was there when I needed someone desperately. She helped me over it-she gave me a reason to go on.

Wanda: I thought that was it-a bond was formed when you were lonely anjd had sufferede such a great loss. But that can't last forever, either. She's chosen another way for her life. You have to do the same. It's been 2 YEARS! It's time to move forward and get your feet under you.

Elvis: Okay-you're right. I'll try-I will, I promise.

Wanda: Okay-the first thing I think you ought to do is take off that wedding ring. You still have it on-don't you? Right now?

Elvis: Yeah-okay. It's off. I'll put it up-I won't wear it anymore.

Wanda: You have Linda-

Elvis: Yeah-she's nice-we have fun and I care for her, I do. She's just a doll-sweet and loving and pretty as a picture. I'm blessede, I know it. She's a treasure.

Thanks again-I love you-'member that when you're chopping my head off, okay?

Wanda: Okay-you're something-what I don't know!

Elvis: But you love me?

Wanda: I do-that's a fact...

Elvis: Bye-bye then.

Wanda: Bye, and don't forget, you're living in the present!

Elvis: Yes ma'am, I won't forget.

Wanda: Be good now.

Elvis: Bye-bye.

[maral]

Hi all

I’ve been fallowing the conversations in this forum for a long time. I find the stories told by Wanda and Maia very interesting. And I’m sure they are all true whether most fans believe them or not. As we know, the Memphis mafia has their way to ”charm” the fans in thinking they are telling the “truth” because they were there.

Now, back to this story above………I don’t doubt the truthfulness in this story, however many clam Elvis lost his wedding ring back in the 60’s. and I haven’t seen him wearing it in any picture after Lisa’s birth. Can you explain that to us Wanda?

Again thank you for sharing your memories with us!
Hugs/ maral

[Wanda June Hill]

Hi,

yes, Elvis lost the ring that Priscilla gave him on their wedding day-and was so upset. He got another one, with more diamonds in it, of course because he liked to wear precious stones, and not so precious stones. You will see him wearing it in Las Vegas, usually with another ring on the same finger, he never wore it in movies but he did wear it when not making them. He didn't wear all his rings at home so much in the 60's 70's but when he started doing Vegas he did wear that ring. It's wider than the original, has more stones. But you will see it on his left hand, ring finger in several pictures in the early Las Vegas engagements. He wore that ring more after his divorce when he wanted to, not always, but he was blue, he was upset and he wished his family was with him and they were back together. It just didn't turn out like he hoped years back. He said he was so tired of Elvis Presley ruining his life-that image, that guy he was supposed to be and sometimes was, he admitted. But he liked to remember better days, that's when he wore the ring-and too, it reminded him of who he WANTED to be-used to think he could be and wished he was...it's not too much believe that little band helped him feel better-it kept him "connected" to the life he had dreamed of and lost. I thought it would help him at the time we had the conversation about taking it off, because he had a new relationship that was good for him, and i hoped he could make a new beginning and forget and he had expressed that he needed to do that, but was having trouble. So the first thing would be to put that ring up-or wear it on a different finger maybe. Knowing him, a diffrent finger wouldn't have helped. I know he did stop wearing it for a while, but it showed up at certain times, usually with a bigger ring "hiding" it from most. He lost so many people who were important in his life-from early days, all the way into the 70's. His grandfather, his mom, his cousin's, his wife...and then, being stuck in thos movies for so many years, with no escape that he could find and make work. And finally, his health - The fact that he could go on, turn things around, continue to be loving, forgiving, kind and gracious to so many for so long, and keep his faith in God and human beings, amazes me. Elvis was special, from the beginning, and he continues to be just that. And will forever be an example for good, because he remained good hearted and kind, true to his beliefs and tried to reach as many as he could-far more than he realized through his music and a great number personally. I just wish more people would come forth and tell their experiences with him-I'm sure there are more out there-he got around, for someone who was supposed to be a reclusive type! No way. Thanks for asking- I think Maia has done a great website and I am so lucky that she made one for me! Wanda

[maral]

thank you for your answer, I’m sure i have seen that ring in pictures without knowing it....LOL
I have been searching for the truth about Elvis for a very LONG time. I always believed there was more to it then what we get to here from “people who were closest to him”. And it hurts me that many fans would doubt your stories…for they have heard it "otherwise".
I have so many questions I want to ask you….i just don’t know where to begin. Some of them I don’t know if there are appropriate to bring up in a public web forum. Would you mined if I PMed you privately? It is the things that has puzzled me for years!

Love, maral

[Wanda June Hill]

Sure, private will be just fine. If I can i will, if not I'm not going to. All I can do. WJH

[Wanda June Hill]

Hi,

A friend of mine reminded me that one of the boys, she couldn't recall which one, said that Elvis gave him the wedding ring he and Pris bought to replace the one he lost....I don't know when or if-but it could be true. He wore it the last time I saw him in 1976 when he surprised me by being nearby. I think he wanted to tell me good bye in person, and I think he knew that he was not going to live much longer. He was seeing doctors at a medical center and was with two men I had never seen before-not even in Vegas. They were extra secruity hired on just for the tours and the up coming vegas engagement -that was to begin Dec. 2nd I think. Elvis looked good, just very worn out and tired-and he hadn't slept in who knows how long. He was lucid, nervous and exhausted but he wanted to finish the interview we had started months earlier and he said he wanted to see me-it had been such a long time. It's in the book, and I still can't think about that meeting without getting upset and crying so this is it for now. I'll never forget how he looked, his laugh, smile and the tears we both shed when we said good-bye. I think he knew just as I felt- it was for the last time in this life. Wjh

[Rainbow Light]

Interesting news about the ring but I can understand how that last meeting with Elvis must have been so upsetting for you. That's all I'm gonna say, ok?

Understand that you're not the definitive and 'know-it-all' source for what all Elvis ever said and did but at the same time you've given so many of us here on the Forum so many precious memories and open, honest views of what you knew went on, related his words and what he had said from your notes/tapes etc, believe he would have been pleased that you had done that, that you'd let others know - specially those in search of Elvis, the man - what he was like and a more rounded, balanced picture of him.

No, you couldn't always know or don't know everything about Elvis ie what he said/thought/meant by something, but it's appreciated you sharing what you had experience/memory of, if that means anything?

Best wishes, Sue

[ALNA]

I feel the same way to. I'm grateful for every little bit you wish to share with us.
I loved Elvis as an artist but much more as a human.
Especially Elvis behind the image, keeps me busy.
There is so much thrown in public about him but so little that we really know.

Wanda thanks for everything.

[Wanda June Hill]

hey kids, it meas a great deal to me. I enjoy sharing Elvis and hearing things I didn't know too. I've learned more, understood more in the past few months after being like a "duck" for the past 25 years. I know that I am going to have a problem if I do go out to book signing events etc: as they would like me to do to promote the book...I can't talk about some things without crying and I hate to cry in front of anyone-always have. But , I did before maybe I can again-I just didn't ever talk about the last time I talked with him.
Can't hide away this time...oh well, I'll work up to it slow
maybe. Thanks again. I hear there may (may be) books in about 3 weeks! yea-I'm hoping to get to "see" it on computer this week and aprove it. It should be all okay-unless somebody was doing something "funny" and messed up at Booksurge...I fixed everything I could find before sending it back. I am so anxious to see the cover! and how the pictures turned out-there are only 6 in the book-I wanted to use the space for words...and still have enough for another one...that's next...wjh

[Rainbow Light]

Hope all goes well with the book and that you'll be ok with the promotions side of it, will be wishing you well. Sue

[Lighthouseseeker]

I'm happy and excited for the book..go Wanda!

[Wanda June Hill]

(Notice: You may copy this post to other Elvis Websites for the purpose of sharing them with other true Elvis fans. Should you choose to copy it, we ask that you include the address: www.elvislightedcandle.org as your source. Thank you. ELC Host Maia, and Wanda June Hill.)

1973

Wanda: This may sound like a silly question, maybe even a difficult one-but do you....or rather, what do you see yourself as being Elvis? Have you thought about it?

E: Have I thought about it... (chuckles softly) Eh...well now, le'me see here. I'm first of all a singer...well, a male singer...who jus' happened...happens to appeal to a big section of people...various ages an' eh...types...is that what you want?"

W: How do you want to answer it?

E: Hummmm...uh-huh tryin' to trip me up here now, aren't ya? I see myself, my purpose as being one of...an entertainer, bringing moments of happiness, joy and excitement, fun...eh...laughter, to my audiences. Jus' time away from their daily cares...that's what I am, nothin' more really... And in doing that I feel I am completing my... purpose for being. Sort of, anyway. I like to think I'm ...giving them somethin' of benefit to their... spirit... and their hearts.

W: Okay... that's what I wanted-what you think, in private.

E: I want to be a time of happy moments, of relief from care, and if they think enough of me to... come back again, that's great man, I love 'em for it.

[Rainbow Light]

Thanks for sharing this conversation you had with Elvis, he was right then in what he said and that's exactly what he did. Maybe he didn't have a chance to know this and how much he meant to so many during his lifetime, how much he gave to so many thousands/millions but believe he does know it now for sure!! That's a real nice thought too isn't it?

[Rainbow Light]

Bringing this back on around for anyone that might not have seen already, so very touching I think you will agree!

date: 1974
subject: When Momma Died

Elvis: When Momma died-I liked to never got over it. I mean, just the least little thing-a memory-something-ande it'ed be there hard as ever-painful and hurting me until-until I liked to have died myself. Then-then I met Priscilla and somehow, she made it all better. I could go on-I could look forward to the future, and she listened, talked to me about it and it got better. I guess that is part of-of our relationship-what it's all about. She was there when I needed someone desperately. She helped me over it-she gave me a reason to go on.

Wanda: I thought that was it-a bond was formed when you were lonely anjd had sufferede such a great loss. But that can't last forever, either. She's chosen another way for her life. You have to do the same. It's been 2 YEARS! It's time to move forward and get your feet under you.

Elvis: Okay-you're right. I'll try-I will, I promise.

Wanda: Okay-the first thing I think you ought to do is take off that wedding ring. You still have it on-don't you? Right now?

Elvis: Yeah-okay. It's off. I'll put it up-I won't wear it anymore.

Wanda: You have Linda-

Elvis: Yeah-she's nice-we have fun and I care for her, I do. She's just a doll-sweet and loving and pretty as a picture. I'm blessede, I know it. She's a treasure.

Thanks again-I love you-'member that when you're chopping my head off, okay?

Wanda: Okay-you're something-what I don't know!

Elvis: But you love me?

Wanda: I do-that's a fact...

Elvis: Bye-bye then.

Wanda: Bye, and don't forget, you're living in the present!

Elvis: Yes ma'am, I won't forget.

Wanda: Be good now.

Elvis: Bye-bye.

[Amanda Viola]

Wanda: Bye, and don't forget, you're living in the present!

Elvis: Yes ma'am, I won't forget.

How wise of Wanda to guide him to the present and how sweetly Elvis followed her...! Very moving...