Elvis Presley: Contemplating Tomorrow
Saturday, August 15th, 2009
This is probably the saddest time of the year for me ever since I fell in love with Elvis back in January of 2007. Tomorrow marks the 32nd anniversary of his death and every year at this time, this anniversary weighs heavy on my heart.
I can’t help but wonder how the world would have been different had he not left us when he did. Would we have had a lot more great music of his to listen to or was he at the end of his musical life anyway? Would Lisa Marie have married Michael Jackson? Would Elvis be a recluse at the age of 74? Would Elvis have been more inclined to share with us some of the the mysteries that we contemplate about him and his life? Would he be doing shows like Oprah, The View and Late Night? Would he accept the internet technology and be a presence here? Besides her brief moment of fame while appearing on Dallas, would we have to put up with so much of Priscilla or would she have faded into obscurity where she belongs by now? How may girlfriends would I have had to write blogs about in my Elvis’s Women Series or is it possible that Elvis and Priscilla may have reunited?
Pointless contemplations agreed. He’s dead and gone and none of the above questions even matter. But I wonder about them nevertheless.
It’s funny, while he was alive I never paid any attention to him. Even for 30 years after he passed, I never gave him any thought. But for one fateful moment back in 2007, he probably wouldn’t be on my mind constantly this week like he has been. I more then likely wouldn’t be breaking out into tears spontaneously when no one is looking. Early this morning I dreamt about him. That hasn’t happened in a long time but the dream this morning was extremely vivid. He was with me, I felt and heard his heartbeat, I leaned into him and he was real. I was thrilled. It’s a dream I will treasure.
Graceland is raking in millions of dollars this week while loyal fans spend money they probably don’t have to visit Elvis’s home and gravesite. All sorts of events are planned and tons of souvenirs are sold. I wonder that the organizers even give Elvis a second thought though or are the only motivated by this being their best time of the year for sales.
I know in my heart that the fans feel his loss deeply as I do and if I could, I too would be in Memphis this week spending money I don’t have and paying tribute to Elvis (and his mom whose passed away 51 years ago yesterday). Elvis believed that Gladys was 42 when she died. We later found out this wasn’t true and that his mom had lied about her age but the point is Elvis believed she was 42. He died 2 days after the anniversary of her death also at the age of 42. Significant?
We know that Elvis never stopped missing his mother or mourning her loss. We also know that Elvis changed drastically after Gladys passed. No longer worried about what she would say about his behavior, he let loose in ways he probably wouldn’t even had considered had his mom still been there to disapprove. Or so we’re told. I’m never really sure who to believe anymore although I tend to trust those with no axe to grind more then I do the so-called “insiders”. Debauchery, wild orgies, drug abuse and the list goes on of the things Elvis indulged in after his mom died. Was he on a self-directed path to his own death? 
These things and more I will explore when Gladys is featured in my Elvis’s Women Series. That one may be a series in itself considering what I know about all the layers of their relationship and the tons of layers I don’t know.
Elvis is one big beautiful onion that reveals new surprises and nuances with every layer you peel. He is a study in contradictions. The shy southern boy that never used first names for people who were older then him versus the raunchy egotistical emperor who demanded all near him to bow and pay homage whenever he was present. Who was the real Elvis? My study to answer this continues.
I love you and miss you, Elvis, and I know in my heart that you know that I love and miss you. Just like you know that millions of us miss you desperately every day. Tomorrow we formally celebrate your life. on Monday and for the following 364 days until next year, I will continue to celebrate your life every day. I hope and pray that you are at peace.
