The Michael Jackson Fan Club

by Marijke (Belgium) 

Hi to all,
I feel very lucky, since I could visit Neverland. I promise to tell you more about that in another story, but there is something that can not be said in a 'normal' report, so I want to express this apart from that report. I don't want to talk now about the magical spirit, I want to tell all of you, mostly to Michael, what Neverland meant for 1 person. The identity of that person, a lady I respect very highly, must stay a secret. Let's just call her Elsa.

Whenever I can go to an amusent parc, I become that child again. So I enjoy the rides perhaps even more then a child. I'm an adult. Mostly you have responsibility, except at Neverland. You know people enjoy themselves, and whatever you need, there is assistance near. Walking through the parc, I noticed that 1 lady was standing still and just looking at others. I though she enjoyed it as much as I do, to look at people and see them having a great time, so it gives me a good feeling too. But something in her look made me decide to take contact with her. Especially her hands, she seemed nervous.

So I started to talk to Elsa and somehow, she trusted me. When I asked her to join me in the marry-go-round, she said it was impossbile. It was unknown to her. In her childhood she never had the pleasure to ever be active in a parc, she never went on a ride. This for reasons I will not go in to, due to her privacy. This lady was now an adult.

Afraid, really scared of this, she look at the persons on the ride. I tried to talk to her and explain the feelings I had. To be that child, to forget everything else. There was not 1 worry in my mind when I would be on the ride myself. I told her if she was willing to try, that I would help her, all the way.

First I talked to the person who worked there operating the marry-go-round. I explained him my friend never went on one, was a bit scared. I asked if it was possible for some rides to slow down the machine and turn the speed up slowly. This kind man was so friendly, understood immediately and was willing to do it.

It took courage, but Elsa was willing to try. Together we went, hand in hand. And she closed her eyes with force, holding my hand so tight, screaming, but slowly she let go her fear. After the first ride, she asked me if we could do 1 more. Of course we did, this time with her eyes open. Again she wanted to go, and again, and again... Slowly I saw that smile coming... she could feel the joy to ride, started to feel the fun to feel free and I heard screams of joy.

It was something that touched me deeply. To see tears rolling of her eyes, since for the first time, this grown up woman feel like a child. After so many rides, I told her that I wanted out to wave to her when she would pass me by every time. And there Elsa went, all by herself, laughing, waving to me, I can still see her riding around, throwing her hair in the wind, free.

Elsa did let go all the pain of the past,. I felt so greatfull that I could be part of this experience that would perhaps even make a deep change in the rest of her life. And that it happened in magical Neverland. The only place, I feel, that something like this could ever happen.

So Michael, if you ever think about your marry-go-round, then think about her. You gave her the childhood she never had. Elsa had fun the rest of the day. Secretly I watched her over and over again, and when we passed again from time to time, I saw a great smile on her face. And I knew even outside Neverland, this woman would go to another marry-go-round. She could join her own child now to have fun.

Dear Elsa, I think you will read this, somewhere, somehow. I told you overthere 'thank you' for trusting me, for giving me the chance to be part of this. You know who you are! I'm so proud of you! I never told anyone this story or about you, this was always only in my memory. But now, with sharing Neverland memories, I truly believe this is so special, I had to share it with others, and of course with Michael himself. Since you became a soulmate of Michael and me, in Neverland!

I hope one day we can meet again. I promise to find another marry-go-round, so we can have fun again. When that happens, we will remember Neverland and thank Michael from a distance, OK?

May God bless you,
Marijke