Reply With QuoteAww, very nice JenThanks for sharing
Elvis, My Mom, and Me
by Cathy N.
August 18, 2007 01:18 AM EDT (Updated: August 18, 2007 01:20 AM EDT) rating: 10/10 (3 votes) | comments: 2
Oh how my Mom LOVED Elvis Presley! He was her one and only heart-throb. She told me how she would somehow get my Dad to take her to see all of Elvis' movies, by promising to see John Wayne with him the next week. She bought Elvis albums and 45's. My mom was married in 1953, so she didn't get to see him in concert during the 50s.
I still remember reading the advertisement in the newspaper stating that Elvis Presley would be in Dayton, Ohio. Tickets would not be sold in the normal manner, they would be sold in a lottery. Everyone had to send in a letter to the PO Box with a check and stating how many tickets along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Either the check would be returned OR tickets to the concert would be sent.
About a month went by and I saw my mother's envelope sticking out of the pile of bills. I ran into the house with the envelope and exclaimed, "Mom, it's here! Open it quick! I hope you got your tickets!"
I don't think I've ever seen my mother move that fast. She grabbed the envelope from my hand and gently opened it. I think she was holding her breath. I know I was. She turned the envelope over and out fell two tickets. She screamed and then she started crying. We were jumping up and down. She was SO excited! I asked her if Dad would be taking her to the concert. She said, "No. I want to enjoy it. How would you like to go with me?" I don't think I could have said "Yes" any quicker than I did.
It was still another couple of months until the concert, but I remember having to shop for just the right outfit. My mom didn't care that our tickets were in the balcony and behind the stage. She just KNEW that Elvis would see her and she had to look her best!
Finally the night arrived and she was so giddy, I didn't think we'd get there. I had only recently received my driver's license, but I asked if I could drive. She let me and it's a good thing she did. I don't think the car could have floated there, but she could have.
Turns out the behind the stage seats were NOT behind the stage, they were directly in line with the right side of the stage. Even though we were in the balcony, we had a PERFECT view. My mom was ecstatic! She kept saying, "I hope he sings MY SONG." Her song was "Can't Help Falling in Love" and the entire family knew she would be heartbroken if Elvis didn't sing it for her, but of course he DID! I love music and even though I was just a teenager I had seen a LOT of concerts, but none compared to this one. Elvis Presley had the entire audience in the palm of his hand. His voice was so strong and clear, I think we could have heard him in the balcony even if he didn't have a microphone.
When Elvis started singing "Can't Help Falling in Love", my mom started crying. A gentleman in front of her had binoculars and asked if she would like to look through them. She did. I will never forget what she said, "Oh my! I can even see his eyelashes. They look even LONGER in person!" I laughed and she said, "But they do! They really do! He's gorgeous!" We floated home that night.
A few months later, we moved from Ohio to Texas and we stopped at Graceland on the way. Mom wondered if Elvis was home. I think she left a note for him in the gate. I remember she waved. Just a few months later, Elvis Presley died. And we cried together.
When my mom passed away, I asked if we could play an Elvis song at her funeral. We did. I think it would have made her happy.
Last night I watched the Elvis programs and Priscella said, "We always closed the shows with this song." When "Can't Help Falling in Love" started playing, I cried again. It's a connection I will always have to Elvis, Mom, and Me.
Source: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.js...81474977089732
Aww, very nice Jen
So many special memories out there with Elvis in them. He touched so many.
Very nice story, Jen. Thanks for sharing .
"I have learned never to ridicule any man's opinion, however strange it may seem."
what a sweet story!
Thanks for sharing.
elvislady
Love this one, I should have had my tissues close by. Thank you.
Just pretend, I'm holding you, and whispering things soft and low.
And think of me, how it's gonna be and just pretend I didn't go
A very sweet and lovely story.I`m glad that you have such nice memories of your mother,she sounds like a very nice lady.Thanks for sharing it with us.
It was so sweet of you to share
This was a beautiful story
How much do you remember from the concert?
[Royalties come and go....... But there is only one man we always call THE KING
a really touching tender story.I'm sure your mom is happy that you have shared it here with us. I hope she will enjoy his songs in heaven now.
Its a story l found on the internet, l wasn't born when elvis was alive.
Memories of Elvis and Moms are the best!! Thanks for sharing this with us!!
The last part of the story, where she said that they played "Can't help falling in love" at her mom's funeral, made cry. So sad and beautiful at the same time...
Goodbye Rosanne...Your "family" in TCB will always remember you.
A very nice mom and daughter story Jen, thanks for sharing.
Diane
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