December 31
Wow! The last day of the year, and here I am at Graceland
with my children and my adorable grandson. Such blessings the Lord has showered
me with this year! 2013 has had it’s challenges, the blessings, the
heartaches and the day to day. God is always so faithful and always so good to
me.
On this last day of the year, and the last day of our family
vacation, we will tour the mansion. We have saved this treat for our last day.
Everyday we have walked up to the mediation garden and each night we have
admired the beautiful lights on display, but today we will walk through the
doors of the place Elvis called home. You may say we have saved the best for
last….
My love for Elvis began as early as I have memory. Each
Sunday after church when we would go to my Grandmother and Papaw’s house, we
would hear Elvis singing gospel. My Papaw’s favorite song was “Peace in the
Valley”. I was the oldest grandchild one of my fondest memories is sitting in
his lap as he sang “Peace in the Valley” and rocked me. He sang to all his
grandchildren, and when I became a parent, I got to enjoy hearing my Papaw sing
his favorite song to my own children as he rocked them. These memories have
only strengthened my love for Elvis and his music.
My husband Eddie and I used to listen to Elvis when we
dated. He is as big an Elvis fan as I am. He swears that if he and Elvis had
met they would be best friends and I have to agree with him. There are lots of
similairies….
When you begin your tour at Graceland, you board a bus and
you are given headphones. As the bus heads up the driveway, Elvis begins
singing in your ear, “Welcome to my World”.
When you enter the front door…I’ve heard it said….and I have
felt it every time…You can feel his presence.
Cam was listening intently as our tour guide explained how
Elvis purchased Graceland in 1957 for just over $100,000. I think Cam may be in
training as a contender in a future Elvis Quiz Show!
At this point in time I have been to the mansion numerous
times, but every time I walk through that day….Wow!
The livingroom ….
The diningroom….
The kitchen….
The television room….
The poolroom…
The jungleroom…
Some of my favorite songs, Moody Blue, Way Down...were recorded in this room!
When you go out the back door at the jungle room, you are in
the backyard and where Elvis parked his cars. Vernon had a small building
behind the house which he used as his office. It is small and he and two
secretaries handled all Elvis’ business affairs from this office. Look at the
sign in Vernon’s own handwriting…
If you read Priscella’s book , “Elvis and Me”, remember
where she mentions the sign Vernon placed on the door to keep her from hanging
out with Elvis’ cousin Patsy who worked for Vernon. Vernon was all about work
and taking care of Elvis.
Next, the trophy room. No man has ever achieved as much in
the music industry as this man….
The Trophy Room is lined with Gold and Platinum Albums and Singles! Wall to Wall, Floor to Ceiling!
He was as generous as he was talented!
There are walls covered with checks he sent to charities around the Memphis area. He was a great philanthropist!
Out the back door and...
Back to the meditation garden…..”Peace in the Valley”.
The last stop on the tour was a stop by the Lisa Marie
Presley exhibit ….”Elvis Through His Daughter’s Eyes”. Our favorite…
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