“Elizabeth’s freindship is like the perfect jewels she owns, indestructable and eternal.” ~Michael Jackson
Here is what another Jackson brother said about about Elizabeth Taylor, just today:
“Elizabeth Taylor was an impactful person in this industry and on society as a whole. I specifically admire her charitable efforts including bringing early awareness to HIV/AIDS. Most memorable is her steadfast loyalty and unwavering friendship to my late brother Michael Jackson. Liz provided a sense of relief and comfort to my brother at various difficult times in his life, and I appreciate that, may she rest in peace.” ~Tito Jackson
Michael Jackson needed one of those friends and Liz Taylor gave him that. Unless one has grown up in the blaze of stage and film-set lights, it would be hard to understand the bonding that these two remarkable people shared. In the glare and scrutiny of the public eye, who could know what occured in their inner lives that they were able to share with one another? Two child stars pushed onto a stage when they were young, they shared a kindred loyalty and attachment that is rare in celebrity and that spanned decades. Neither betrayed the other and flew to each other’s side in the times when darkness descended.
Who knows what long late night talks were cherished and held close to hearts when stardom and public, and youthful relevance was discussed. When the world demanded so much of those who were its icons– and yet laughed in the wrong places, exposed human foibles and used words that made one wince at the insensitivity. Who can know how hard it is to ‘man the deck’ of a life that rocks more than occasionally like a ship in a tempest?
Loyalty surely demanded a lot during the tempests in both their lives. The jokes about her romances and unkind scrutiny of her many marriages and “fading looks” or “failing health” her struggle with depression and medications must have stung. And it could not have been easy in the temptations and frenzy that surrounded Michael especially at certain times of his life, but Dame Elizabeth Taylor, among all who knew him, was the steadfast one. At his side through every crisis, the one crisis or celebration she could not attend was his public memorial at the Staple Center. As she kept their friendship in confidence, she kept her grief in secret. What she said when he passed was: “I can’t imagine life without him.”
And it is hard to imagine a life without you, Elizabeth and a world without your glittering presence. Thank you for showing us what loyalty is, what steadfast friendship looks like, what beauty is both inside and out, and what truly is meant by “the glow of the silver screen.” You lit it like no other.
We are pretty sure that they told Michael you were on your way and being the gentleman he was, he met you at the gate. Farewell, Dame Elizabeth Taylor. And thanks for sharing your life with us in such an extraordinary way. Rest well and enjoy your reunion.
We are so very glad you had each other.
And Elizabeth… we love you too.
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22 Comments
It is so sad also because we know how important she was in the life of Michael. Because she was a great woman in all sense. There is a saying: “God squeezes but does not strangle” Michael had her at his side in the toughest moments as a guardian angel, and God took him earlier, to not suffer the pain of his loss.
There’s no greater gift than a true friend. Elizabeth–I love you more.
Beautifully written, great video, truthful and eye-misting message. Please continue posting your wise, comforting and insightful writings, it’s very uplifting. Michael would be proud.
I am so glad michael had such a true and long term friendship with this wonderful woman, who also loved nature and animals. I love her for saying that Michael was the most normal person she knew! R.I.P Elizabeth. I know you and Michael are together in heaven.
The minute I heard that Elizabeth Taylor had gone images of her and Michael filled my head, they just belonged to each other, True Friends together, Soul Mates forever. Janet – UK
Barbara…today’s post is well beyond words… I thank Ms. Taylor for standing by Michael though thick and thin. From the bottom of my heart..
Dame Elizabeth showed the world what a true friend is,an example that we should all try to follow. I can also imagine Michael leading her through the gates of Heaven. God Bless Elizabeth, she will be missed.
Rev. B. you said this so well, thank you. She was just lovely, inside and out, and an amazing humantarian. I believe it was Roddy McDowell who said many years ago that Elizabeth was the definition of the perfect friend. I am so glad she was Michael’s best friend. I hope they had a rousing party last night, home now, happy, healthy, and no longer in pain. Love and peace Elizabeth, you will be missed.
Thank you Rev. Kaufmann. LOVE and GRATITUDE 🙂
Celebrity of that magnitude is a very special kind of abuse. I’m profoundly grateful that they were able to find solace in each other’s company. They couldn’t have deserved each other more.
“If you listen to his lyrics they are those of a modern day prophet and it beseeches us to listen to him and what he sang. I won`t use words like preaching, because that is off putting, but listen. Listen to his messages.” ~Just some of the wonderful, insightful words Dame Elizabeth used to describe her friend Michael after his passing. May they embrace each other in the light of the Creator`s exquisite love. I wish them joy, peace and heartfelt love, God bless you both. Love and blessings from Scotland.
Thank you Rev. Barbara for such a lovely tribute to Elizabeth Taylor and the very special bond that she shared with Michael Jackson. Their connection went beyond the limits of this earthly world and they are certainly now together forever in spirit and energy. This is the first sentence from the introduction that Elizabeth Taylor wrote for Michael’s beautiful book Dancing the Dream “When I hear the name Michael Jackson I think of brilliance, of dazzling stars, lasers and deep emotions. I adore Michael Jackson.” Now they are both dancing together, shining brightly among all the brilliant, dazzling stars in the heavens!
Dear Rev.Barbara,
Yours along with others words on this website are so captivating. Living down the bottom of the world in New Zealand, I had no idea that Elizabeth was so ill. However for a few weeks previous, felt a melancholy that not even Michael’s music could comfort! It inexplicably dissolved on (our) evening of the 23rd March; the next day I heard the sad news.
My belief is that it was their glorious reunion giving that grace. With Love and Peace to all, Lynaire
Haere Mai Lynaire.
Dear Rev. Barbara, Thank you for such a beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul. I am so thankful Michael had her in his life. Rest in peace Elizabeth, and God Bless. We Love You.
Arohanui, Wahine. Haere Ra and Thank you Lynaire
WHAT a glorious tribute from Michael to his Elizabeth, made all the more glorious in that he could give her that while they were both still alive! I do think of them as soulmates who each shone a light on the other’s fearlessness. How wonderful you have marked the passing of this great lady with another well-earned tribute to her of your own. And I cannot express my delight that you have re-printed the editorial cartoon from the Santa Barbara News for Michael’s and Elizabeth’s heavenly reunion. It beautifully flies in the face of some of what Michael endured there.
Two beautiful people, great humanatarians, and true friends rare to find nowadays. To have just one friend that would stand by you at your darkest hour you are truly blessed. Thanks to Elizabeth for being a real friend to Michael and to so many others. They are spending eternity together. Her legacy will live forever… Elizabeth I love you. Till we all meet again in Heaven…R.I.P.
Think of what a tremendous blessing this world is now receiving as both of them together are now showering the earth with unconditional love, unity, faithfulness, loyalty, compassion, selfless giving,…all the qualities they both so stongly stood for and represented. All the qualities the world still seems to be still so profoundly lacking…..
A writer described her as “rapturously” beautiful. I like that word. It really fits her. She was one of a kind, just like her famous Krupp diamond and so much mirroring her beloved friend. We’ll never see anyone like either of them again. She and Michael really were soul-mates. Their love for each other was enduring and transcending. They understood each other to the point that they could probably read each others thoughts. How fortunate that they had each other and such a precious friendship. Wanna ease the ache in your hearts from missing Michael for a little while? Picture him, just as Rev. Barbara has described, welcoming her home with his dazzling smile and signature “love hug”. So sweet! An image I will hold close to my heart for a long time. We had them and oh! how we were blessed!
When I think of Elizabeth and Michael’s love for one another, I think of “agape” love. It’s not a romantic or sexual love. Agape is described as a selfless kind of love that involves giving without expectation of anything in return, like Christ did. Jesus chose to love the unlovable and the unlovely (us!), not because we deserve to be loved, but because it is his nature to do so. God’s love is like a “motherly” love. The mother loves the child unconditionally and it can not be measured at all. If we are to love as God loves, that love—that agape—can only come from its true Source, God himself. I believe Elizabeth and Michael knew of this source and that is why their love for one another endured to the end. They are a great example to us because if all love one another “agape” love than this world would be a better place.
Elizabeth is dearly missed as much as Michael is missed. I hope Heaven is much brighter now that you’re with Michael again! He must’ve welcomed you with open arms.