Inner Michael

She was stunned. She thinks it was either that his dying never occurred to her or that his dying was an impossible consideration for the mind. She found it hard to wrap hers around it and the empty space he left.  Growing up on his music, she always just assumed her own children would be growing up with his music too. This was a void that simply would not or could not be filled. Michael’s dying was as unthinkable for my daughter-in-law as it was for so many others—all over the world.

Michael Jackson—not on the planet anymore? How could something so anti-life occur in one’s life? To someone larger than life? “A world without Michael” seemed antithetical—a moment in time that could never find form, could never come true. And certainly not this soon. For so many around the world, his passing suddenly turned the world colorless and empty.

For that generation—the one of my children and their significant others, the milestones of their lives were marked with his songs. Childhood, puberty, teen years, high school, graduation and college. Many could tell you which Michael Jackson song fit each of those events—a kind of: “where were you when… ?” thing. And each of them would remember now where they were when they got the news—that Michael Jackson passed away.

Michael’s death provided an impetus for so many people: inspiration, motivation, momentum, commitment, vows, direction, realizations, new insights, spiritual awakenings. People around the planet began to do things to mark his passing, pay homage, remember Michael, and honor him. Many among them are artists. Some people discovered that they were wasting their lives, some were wasting their talent, some were on a path that did not suit them or nourish them, lots remembered Michael’s words about working hard at your passion and not giving up. He inspired an entire generation of youth and crossed over into other generations and new generations. No child should have to grow up without the magic of Michael Jackson.

My daughter-in-law would make sure her daughter, and later her son, would know about Michael. But it would be in the abstract and how and where to start? Imagine my delight when I came across the work of two artists and was able to give my daughter-in-law a keepsake book for my granddaughter—a book about Michael. Two talented people put their heads together and wrote a stunning tribute to Mr. Jackson in the form of a children’s storybook: Ever After by Brenda Jenkyns and Kathy Garren.

Brenda Jenkyns didn’t even know much about Michael Jackson; she didn’t follow his music. Of course, she’d heard some of the negative stories but dismissed them because she knew his heart in “Heal the World,” but that was the extent of it. Until, that is, she watched Larry King with a recap of the memorial service at Staples and her “heart opened,” she says, changing her forever. This heart opening or spiritual awakening is more common that anyone knows as it happens to those affected by Michael’s passing. Many are then inspired to art and other work in his name.

She too, experienced that same inconsolable grief of losing a loved one or family member—that close connection and personal loss that is recounted by those touched in a deep way by Michael’s passing. She read his books and books about him; she watched videos and collected his music. She did what so many others were compelled to do after his passing—learn who Michael Jackson really was. Her admiration for him grew as she learned that nothing stopped him from accomplishing what he felt he was here to do.

Brenda says: “I decided that I would follow Michael’s example, and ALWAYS say yes to my heart, and do my best at whatever I am inspired to do. I wanted to be a writer, but had never actually written much of anything. Michael inspired me. Since then I have published a picture book. It has been my dream come true, and maybe I have even made a difference in the world.”

Brenda wrote the story between Christmas and New Year’s, a little over a year ago. She loved writing about Michael and his life in fairy tale form. Early the next year, she edited and sent the story to Michael’s mother and children.

In March, she saw a beautiful painting of Michael’s Giving Tree on Facebook and asked “Mimi”  (Kathy Garren) the artist, if she would be interested in illustrating a picture book. Mimi agreed. They spent April getting to know each other via email and discussed the book and illustrations. “Baby Michael” was the first illustration Kathy Garren sent her prompting Brenda to choose a printer, claim her ISBN number and reserved their domain name. They decided to self publish and donate 20% of the profits; so far, they have donated almost two thousand dollars to a charity in Michael’s name.

“Mimi” took a leave of absence to finish illustrating the book in time for their deadline—Michael’s birthday; they wanted to take the book to Neverland. Too late for Michael’s birthday celebration, the first books didn’t arrive in their hands until late September. They sent the first 4 off the press to Katherine, Prince, Paris and Blanket. And they have informed Michael’s estate and have received an acknowledgement.

Kathy Garren has not returned to work but is pursuing her passion for art and illustrations full time. She does not have a website yet, but they do have a page on Imagekind with all the Ever After illustrations for purchase as prints.  Mimi, like Michael, is very shy, and extremely focused when working on a project. You will rarely find her online. The authors realize more and more that Ever After has an important message and is supposed to play a part in Michael’s mission to heal the world and like many others—they have felt Michael’s hand on this project from the beginning and his guidance in steering it to completion.

They wanted me to know that they feel honored to be a part of carrying on Michael’s message to comfort his followers and to teach future generations about his legacy of LOVE. So Brenda and Mimi wanted to know– could I “feel the love” in Ever After?

No child now has to grow up without that magic of Michael Jackson. I gave one copy of Ever After to my daughter-in-law and granddaughter for Christmas and kept one for myself. I sat down with her and read Ever After to my granddaughter for the first time. When she is older, her mother can tell her about the icon who marked the milestones of mommy’s life and of her whole generation. And maybe a year or two later, she can read it to my grandson. He is the dancer in the family and dances to videos; already he has rhythm—I know he will appreciate Michael.

This book isn’t just for children; it is a keepsake for self and family. And if you don’t have children, or even if you do—I think it would make a great addition to the children’s section of your local library—maybe as a gift. That will be my next purchase—a donation of Ever After for each of the libraries in my area. I want to know that the children of the future will have an avenue to Michael’s magic. And I want one of Mimi’s larger prints for myself—the one of Michael at the window. That illustration says so much about who he was and the price of the gifts that he so freely gave to the world. That illustration is so relevant to the story and it’s so Michael.

A delightful take-your-breath-away piece of art that belongs in a collection and in the hands of fans and children, Ever After charms while it captures the heart and tickles with its little treasures of surprise quietly tucked into the illustrations that are digitally enhanced mixed media watercolors. The story of a little boy born in a little town in Indiana tells of his life from childhood to adulthood. It introduces you to a poor little black kid who hears music in his head. I won’t spoil it for you. This book and its simple little story and sweet illustrations is the real story of Michael Jackson. It’s Straight. Simple. Profound. It captures who Michael Jackson truly is and it is told in children’s verse. Michael would be delighted.

The artwork in this little story is charming and warm and it carries the same vibe that brings Michael’s magic to the world and it packages it for children. It is engaging and enchanting and the illustrations breathe the words to life for the reader. I like how you tucked it in there so “yes, I feel the love– Brenda and Mimi.” And I feel the magic. Sheer magic. Michael magic.

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Anyone who doesn’t have their copy yet, may order one at:  www.michaeljacksoneverafter.com 

Please consider ordering an extra for your local library children’s section. 

Mimi’s artwork is available in prints on Imagekind:  http://www.imagekind.com/MemberProfile.aspx?MID=c884deb1-555d-4e09-9da5-8041ee06b5f6

The list of charities to which Ever After donates is on their website.