Tennessee - A trip to Memphis wouldn't be complete without a visit to Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley

This video is a great slide show of Elvis' home in Memphis. I never got to tour the inside, but I enjoy seeing photos of it. He certainly had his own style and didn't want his home to be just like any other home inside. 

I was too young when Elvis died, so I remember him more after his death than before. My family all loved Elvis, including my grandparents, so they they were all deeply saddened to hear of the news of his death. Shortly after  Elvis died, my dad happened to get a job in Memphis, so we went to see Graceland after we moved there.

Although I wasn't even old enough to start school yet, I remember that day very well. People had written all over the stone wall out front and I stared at all those signatures as we waited in line. I think that is the first time I had seen writing on a wall (grafitti hadn't become popular yet) and I was in disbelief that so many people would be willing to "break rules" and do something I would never be allowed to do. As we approached the gates, I remember seeing the music notes on them, and the curve of the gates, and I knew we were entering some sort of magical place, although it was obvious by the mood of the people that it was also a very sad place.

I don't think they let anyone inside his home in those days, but I was certainly curious about it. Instead, everyone in the line slowly made their way over to his grave. I remember staring at the three large graves (I believe it was his mother and father who were buried there also) and I found it hard to believe or grasp that this same man who everyone loved so much could be buried in the ground. Everyone around me was very still, very quiet, and very sad. It was kind of scary to me, but at the same time, I was intrigued with all the colorful flowers around his grave. I'd never seen so many colorful flowers, and they did bring some cheer to me in that moment.

Some people don't understand why people mourn the death of a celebrity. "How could someone mourn someone they never knew?" I don't think they are mourning the fact that a CELEBRITY died (well, maybe some people). I think most people are mourning the loss of someone who brought them great joy. 

I get it now because I just felt it recently when Michael Jackson died. Those who are NOT fans don't get why those of us who ARE fans could feel sad that he died. For starters, I loved his music, and his music brought me so much joy over the years, whether listening to it, singing along to it, or dancing to it. His videos entertained me over and over again. "We are the World" taught me as a child that there were children far away who needed our help.  I could go on and on. He wasn't a perfect person. He was just a human being like all of us. How could you not feel sad when someone who brought you so much joy over the years died? I'm human. He's human. And now he's gone.

So, my heart goes out to all the big Elvis fans. He brought something special to your lives. Whether you got to meet him or not doesn't matter. He brought something special to your lives.

I have many happy memories of Elvis' music with my family, and for that I am thankful. He brought something special to our lives.

Thank you to rockstead2002 for providing this photo tour on YouTubbe.