A look at Holly Terrace, Michael Jackson’s resting place
What you are about to read is a visit report from one of Michael Jackson’s fans about his tomb at Holly Terrace – Great Mausoleum, located in Glendale, Los Angeles.
From the slope of Holly Terrace—the tomb of Michael Jackson—among the graves of Forest Lawn Park, which you look down upon, you can see vast green grounds with trees of every height and size. When I walked through the entrance of the Holly Terrace tomb, the warm autumn sun, the cool air, the beautiful view, and a gentle breeze filled the atmosphere with the softness and kindness of Michael. I told the guard that I had come to pay my respects to Michael Jackson. I knew I couldn’t go inside the mausoleum, but I wanted to get as close as possible. He showed me the route on the map and said that if I looked straight ahead carefully through the entrance glass of Holly Terrace, I would see him at the end of the hall.
When I found the entrance door, I was alone. I placed my hands around my eyes and on the glass window to look inside. At first there was only darkness, and then the painted colored glass at the end of the hall became visible. As my eyes got used to the darkness, I saw the pale marble basement that holds our beloved Michael’s golden casket. A feeling of being in a sacred place surrounded me, and my tears overflowed.
A few moments later, a woman arrived with a bunch of orange flowers and leaned them against the door.
“I come here three times a week. I’d like to see more flowers for Michael here.”
I told her that I also wanted to bring flowers with me, but I didn’t know where I could place them because we aren’t allowed to go inside the mausoleum. She said that the guards take the gifts and bouquets inside and place them next to Michael.
“He’s an angel. He’s not just a human being. He’s an angel.”
After a while, a family joined us. Their son held a small bouquet of flowers he had picked from their garden and wanted to take it inside. There was a button on the door that said to ring for entry. Only Michael’s family and friends are allowed to enter. But that didn’t stop the boy from pressing the button.
A woman’s voice answered, and the boy said without hesitation: “I’m a little boy. I’m 7 years old. And I want to see Michael. My family won’t come in with me and we won’t take photos.” But he wasn’t allowed.
My new friend said that Michael liked it when that boy came inside. He loved children so much. We told the boy that the guards would take his flowers to Michael. He placed his flowers and left.
Another family arrived. Their 11-year-old daughter was with them. She was wearing a glitter glove and a T-shirt with a picture of Michael Jackson.
They didn’t know that Michael’s basement could be seen from inside through the glass windows. When they found out, they were impressed.
The girl went to get a large poster of Michael from their car. (The Thriller album design—Michael in his white suit.) She had bought that poster for $16. Not for Michael—for herself. But now she wanted to give it to him. We suggested that the girl write a message for Prince, Paris, and Blanket (Michael’s children) and place it along with the poster next to the entrance door. She did that too. At the end of the visiting time, the guards transferred the poster and bouquets inside.
Many people don’t know where to find Michael, and they also don’t know that they can see his basement through the glass.
Two guards walk through the hall all day. They lock the doors at 4:30 PM and leave. But as long as visitors are in the grounds, they stay inside the park and around the tomb. Michael is watched the entire time. Visitors must keep their distance from him.
My new friend says that during her comings and goings to the place, she has seen fans who came there from Germany, Japan, Mexico City, and other parts of the world—only to pay their respects to Michael.
Peace surrounds this castle-like tomb. Part of me wanted to sit in that stillness, listen to the silence of that place, and experience the closeness I felt with Michael’s spirit.
When I was leaving, the full moon was floating above Forest Lawn in the blue sky. I walked to the opposite side of Holly Terrace, where the painted colored glass is installed. I knew Michael was lying just beyond the wall—maybe only about three meters away from where I was standing. Right there, I told him that his fans had asked me to deliver their greetings and love to him.
I didn’t want to go. I wanted to stay there all night, until they turned off all the lights and everything fell into darkness and absolute silence. I didn’t want to return to that other world, where daily life flows with all its demands, chaos, pains, and lies.
On the way back, the moon was shining on me, and Human Nature and I Just Can’t Stop Loving You—playing from my CD player—were a beautiful ending to this day.
I have never heard a voice like Michael’s voice, or had such a feeling about any other person. Only those who love him know what I mean.
Michael lived life completely and bravely. Nothing and no one could break or silence him. His body has left us. But he left behind a legacy that will continue to settle in people’s hearts.
His voice will not become silent. His music is eternal.
(1) The first photos of Michael Jackson’s tomb were released by Karen Faye, his makeup artist.
Source: eMJey.com / withachildsheart blog