And Michael Was Born

Today, 52 years ago... Catherine Jackson: The experience I had with Marlon and Brandon (1) didn’t stop me from not wanting to get pregnant again. The next year, on August 29, I gave birth to a boy. I remember that day well when we were in my neighbor’s car—Mildred White—going to visit the soon-to-be-built Garnett Elementary School; my water bag burst. I told Mildred, “God, I can’t sit in the car like this.” She said, “Don’t worry, girl,” and turned the steering wheel. She took me home. I called my mother and my stepfather, and they took me to Mercy Hospital. Shortly after arriving there, I had uterine contractions, and that same night, my son was born. My mother said, “I want to name him Ronald”... I hated her first suggestion. “How about Roy?”.... “Oh my God, Mom? No!” She thought for a moment and said, “I’ve got it—Michael” (2).... I said, “That’s it!” I was used to the funny faces of the babies I was giving birth to, so that’s why I didn’t pay special attention to Michael at first. Two other things I remember from the first time I held him were his big brown eyes and his long hands, which reminded me of my father-in-law. Michael was mischievous: “I bet my birth was an accident.”.... Catherine says, “But it wasn’t.” Catherine Jackson, My Family Book ---------------- (1) Brandon and Marlon were twin brothers. Brandon died after birth. (2) The name Michael means “God-like.” Source: eMJey