Catherine Celebrates Christmas

Latoya, Michael’s sister, told Mirror in a new interview that although they were raised according to Jehovah’s teachings, they will be celebrating Christmas from this year—because of Michael’s children. In the interview, she also spoke about the hidden sadness and turmoil the kids are dealing with.

In Jehovah’s teachings, as a branch of Christianity, celebrating is forbidden. Members of this group do not take part in Christmas celebrations or birthday parties. Catherine Jackson, Michael’s mother, is a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith, and she raised all her children according to this tradition. And although each of them, as adults, chose their own way of life, Catherine and her daughter Rebbie have remained faithful to their beliefs.

According to Latoya, Michael enjoyed not taking part in such celebrations with his children. Now Catherine Jackson has decided to set aside her old tradition for the sake of her grandchildren and to make sure their lives remain the same as before.

In response to a reporter’s question about the condition of Michael’s children four months after his death, Latoya says that each of her children uses therapeutic counseling. And while it seems that 11-year-old Paris is coping with her sorrows, the family is worried about Michael’s two sons, aged 7 and 12. Latoya explains:

"Prince keeps his pains inside his chest and doesn’t talk to anyone about his feelings, and he can’t even look at a single photo of his father."

"Blanket also spends long periods crying out of longing, and he can’t understand that he will never see his father again."

In the interview, which took place in her hotel room in London, Latoya says:

"Paris thinks and talks about her father all the time. She’s coping very well. She writes a lot and every day she wears Michael’s T-shirts. They still smell like him, and that makes her feel close to her father. Her room is covered with Michael posters, and she watches Michael’s recording tapes all the time."

After Michael’s death, the children returned to their home (the mansion in Bel Air) to gather the things they wanted.

"Paris brought everything that had some sign of her father on it to my mother’s house (in Encino) and put it in her new room."

"She was very upset that she would never see her father on stage again. She said, ‘Now I won’t have the chance to see Dad’s live performance on stage.’"

"Prince doesn’t want to say anything. He doesn’t even watch Michael’s DVDs. He walks straight past the television without even looking. I’m very worried about him."

"Blanket is shy and very sad. He cries a lot. It’s very hard for him and he’s really suffering."

"They all attend counseling sessions, and I especially hope that Prince can talk about what he feels."

However, Latoya says that the passage of time has helped the children gradually come to terms with their father’s death.

Catherine’s mother is the legal guardian of the children, but all of Michael’s siblings have devoted themselves to raising Michael’s children exactly the way Michael liked.

They are also thinking about putting together an expensive, glamorous Christmas celebration—just like the kind Michael loved.

"The kids have their former nanny and everything is going on as before. They don’t watch television except Disney or Nickelodeon cartoon channels, and only for two hours a day."

"They’re always together, and they all receive homeschooling. Of course, Blanket’s classes are held on the upper floor of the house."

"They never argue or bicker with each other. Michael taught them nothing but love. He explained to them what is right and what is wrong. Michael’s work in raising these children is incredible. They’re full of innocence, but at the same time they’re very smart—especially Prince. He knows everything about everything. He can tell you fascinating things with lots of details about the moon or rocks."

"Michael wanted to make sure they always read books and were very thoughtful about what they read. I don’t know whether they also read books like Harry Potter. Their books are always educational and informative."

"We were raised according to the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith and we didn’t celebrate Christmas. But I think it’s very important that Michael’s children celebrate it, because that was something Michael did for them. I want them to continue these celebrations. I talked to my mother about Christmas, and she said she celebrates Christmas."

Since the day Michael died on June 25, Latoya has played an important role in the children’s lives, and from the very first moments she has been there with them.

"Paris talks a lot about her father and even says small things. I’m afraid of cats, and Paris has two kittens. She says, ‘Dad told me you pretended you were allergic to cats, while in reality you were scared of them.’ Or she says, ‘Aunt Latoya, Dad said you want everything to always be clean and tidy.’ She always remembers Michael. I try to stay strong. But it’s like a stomachache that never gets better."

The family knows that Catherine may not be suitable for raising the children because of her age. Latoya, who has no children of her own, would be happy to step into this role.

"According to the will, if something happens to my mother, Diana Ross is the guardian of the children. I know Diana will do this well, but I think the children will stay in the family, and I would be very happy to take care of them."

She rejects the involvement of the children’s biological mother in this matter.

Latoya also says that the Jackson family was confused by claims made by Mark Lester, Michael’s longtime friend. Mark Lester said that in the late 1990s he donated sperm to Michael, and that Paris’s biological father might be him.

"My mother couldn’t understand it. Bringing up such a claim was a very sensitive time. Why didn’t he call my parents first so he could have a private conversation with them about it? What’s interesting is that all at once so many people came forward with claims of being the father. Thank God the kids didn’t hear anything about it, because they don’t watch television. You know how many people in America have claimed they’re someone’s father? It’s astonishing. A whole bunch of women have also claimed to be mothers. Michael was always a mother and a father to them."

Latoya says they will never forget their father.

"The kids will always remember him, because this world doesn’t allow anyone to forget him. You always hear his music and you see his photos and posters—and that’s amazing."

She says she will support the children if they want to enter the entertainment industry.

"Paris doesn’t know this. But the essence of becoming a star is in her. If she goes into entertainment, I can already see that one day she will be a star. The boys also, like Michael, love directing and making films."

"The kids are flexible. Michael gave them a lot of love, and that’s what is helping them now.

Source: eMJey / Mirror.co.uk