Found this in a copy of an Elvis fan magazine from 1977, sure hope it will not upset people as it's not meant to be, there is a spiritual element and touching tribute behind this and was written by a lady, Kay Parley, and printed in the November 1977 issue.

The Golden Stair

It is August 16th 1977. How can an Elvis fan deal with the sadness that has descended upon the Elvis world this day? I am going to try to deal with it by reaching out to you, my fellow fans. Only a few minutes after I heard the shattering news on the 6:30 TV newscast tonight I became aware of the great mass of people who were sharing my shock and my sadness. I didn't feel at all alone. I thought "Millions mourn with me".

They showed happy pictures on the news; Elvis young and strong and handsome, dancing and singing, jumping through a window! I thought "Strange choice", but I really didn't see the pictures. Everything was in a haze. The realization that I had known for some time was disconcerting. I have a keen intuitive sense and I have known for at least 3 years that Elvis had a very short time to live. Perhaps it was because his mother passed away in her mid forties, but I know that my mind, despite the sudden shock was not totally surprised.

I remembered a strange, mystic experience that happened just a week ago. I was picking berries along the riverbank, enjoying warm sunshine and the scent of grasses and I was thinking that I am never closer to paradise than when I am berrypicking on a late sumer day. I heard a voice say quite clearly in my mind, "When I die I'd like you to be picking chokecherries". I thought immediately of Elvis and I experienced a cold fear, but I soon put if out of my consciousness. This afternoon I drove a neighbour into the countryside and we were picking chokecherries when Elvis Presley died. It was just a beautiful coincidence, but it as a glorious warm cool day, the air fresh and pure, the solitude peaceful, the leaves beginning to take on tints of an early autumn. Such a perfect setting to pray for the departing spirit of one you have loved. But I didn't know then that he was gone.

When the news came my first thought was, "He'l never sing it now! He'll never sing "The Voice in the Old Village Choir". (An old dream). so many songs he'll never sing now" I went into my bedroom and knelt by my bed and prayed. HIs picture was on the wall. His Hand in Mine was propped up before me. I prayed, "May he find peace in the valley tonight". I got up and was crying and had a wild free thought; "O boy! Will the angels ever Rock & Roll in heaven tonight!"
Something to do, some activity. I had to do something to settle my thoughts. Suddenly I felt dirty and my hair needed washing. I washed it then I ran a deep tub of water and got in and soaked in the tub for an hour and just let myself feel the sadness. Bathwater can absorb a lot of tears.

My mind was racing, planning. Flowers; I wanted to send flowers and a sympathy card to the family. It was important and there was nothing to stop me fro going to Memphis to be there for the funeral. I am on vacation; I have the money. I relaxed in the tub and tried to talk myself out of it. It would be a frantic rush to get there. Was this any time for a frantic rush? Was it really any place for fans to be at this time? Would it not be more sensible for me to stay at home and pray and send my thoughts to Memphis?

"No more records. No more movies." The tears felt hot and dry now. I thought about the quiz I put in Elvis Monthly magazine last fall and all the fans who told me how much their lives revolved around Elvis; how uch they depended on his records; movies; shows and I couldn't quite conceptualize the degree of loss that this man's passing really would mean.

Then I realized that Elvis was right here in my apartment with me tonight, right there on the record rack, where he has always been since 1966. So I sat in the darkened roomand listened to His Hand in Mine and it came to me how meaningful it all is now, and how comforting. The record was full of promises and I knew that a million fans would listen to it tonight and there would be no need for me to write those promises down, but I wanted to. Unfortunately, because of copyright laws, they cannot be reproduced here but they are familiar to us all and I feel that we should consider them together.

There were, of course, any other comforting promises, but I felt my heart lifted up by a cheerful, triumphant melody, sung as only lvis could sing it so that I could almost see him there in the midst of tinted cloudbanks, going up confidently with his head held high and his guitar in his hand. The song was "I'm Gonna Walk Them Golden Stairs When I Die", and I believe it. Elvis seemed closer now than he did before.

I tried one of the tv channels and Lloyd Robertson was giving a beautiful well-worded tribute to Elvis and his contribution. I could only echo his sentiments when he said "For a great any of us, part of our youth died with him"

I'm gong to bed by the light of an old oil lamp tonight. It gives a softer, more comforting light.

Kay Parley

What A Very Beautiful Story Crystal Rose, and how it made me think when Elvis told Wanda. That it would be raining when he went to Heaven, and this women said Elvis came to her and told her she would be picking ChokeBerries. I know Elvis knew for sometime, that he wasn't going to live very long. But I sometimes wonder if he actually knrew it would be on that Date, the 16th of August. If he prepared himself and How, like he did Wanda and that women that wrote this? Thank You for Sharing this Touching Article!

You're very welcome, dear sister and yes I understand and get your meaning for sure! I'm not sure if he knew the EXACT date/day but it almost seemed like he did and I think he would've prepared spiritually and emotionally for it to happen if that were the case? He seemed to let this woman know and Wanda too, that's for sure, ya know?