Does he/she expect you always to follow his/her orders or advice?

Two years ago while writing some stories in my van (Lois was driving), a song came on the radio. It was “Candle in the Wind” by Elton John; I had no idea that the song was written about Marilynn Monroe. Then, as I listened to the words, I thought this song is similar to what Michael Jackson sang for Elizabeth Taylor’s birthday party which I attended for an AIDS fundraiser (and which was aired on ABC). This was a time before I started this shelter. I sold my communication company and got active in the HIV world as a volunteer. As well as working on disasters as a volunteer for the American Red Cross. When I sold the company I was still retired and volunteered anywhere I could. I tried to help in any cause I thought was good. It was sort of neat; I also fed the homeless in Downtown Miami before I even knew a lot about homeless issues. I tell you feeding the homeless in downtown Miami is like feeding a Only, 1140 people were present at Elizabeth’s birthday party. In fact when I got back from her party, is when I decided to put up some of my own money to start my own foundation to help people with different needs. I thought the party was cool, but “Boy I had no idea what I was getting into. I hung out with Steven Segal, Patty Labelle, Roseanne Barr, Cher and Madonna, and the night got better when the original Cat Woman from Batman kissed me. Steven Segal said to me, “ You would never guess her age.” I found out when I got home and asked my mother. Anyway, it was a good kiss. When we first got there, they had red carpets for the stars and the other celebrities to walk on when they got out of their limos. There was a line of people on the other side of the street to see the action, and there must have been 50 cameras taking pictures when the stars arrived. As my former communications business partner and myself crawled out of our limo, we said to ourselves, “What in the world are we doing here?” I could not imagine that all this money was spent to raise money. Then I understood that in order to get the rich and famous to give a lot of money to a cause, it’s got to be filled with lots of glitter, tuxes, and all the other fine stuff that they do in their extravagant life styles. I got to meet Liz and Michael Jackson that night. Liz was having medical problems at the time. But she thanked me personally for attending and making a donation to her foundation, which in turn helped families and individuals who were impacted by AIDS. All the funds that night went to help those in need, what a great plan. Everybody who attended gave her a birthday present (lots of checks) that went to her foundation. As I touched her hand, I said to her jokingly, “ Do you think I can be your next husband?’ Michel Jackson said “ She is mine tonight.” Now, I thought, what would Michael Jackson have in common with Liz Taylor? I found out later: It was the young star growing up so fast and everybody telling them how their lives are going to be. When Michael sang his song to say Happy Birthday to Liz, I then understood that these famous people have problems just like the famous people living here at the shelter. Most of you all see them daily so in a away they are a little famous too… Look at Elton John’s words in “Candle in the Wind:” Goodbye, Norm Jean, Though I never knew you at all, You had the grace to hold yourself While those around you crawled, They crawled out of the woodwork, And they whispered into your brain, They set you on a treadmill And they made you change your name, And it seems to me That you lived your life like a candle in the wind, Never knowing who to cling to when the rain set in, And I would have like to have known you but I was just a kid, Your candle burned out long before your legend ever did, Loneliness was tough, The toughest role you ever played. Hollywood created a superstar, And pain was the price you paid, Even when the press still hounded you, All the papers had to say, Was that Marilyn was found in the nude, Goodbye, Norm Jean, From a young man in the 22 nd row, Who sees you as something more than sexual More than just our Marilyn Monroe From his words, you can see how poor Marilyn had problems, and that when she was gone, they put her down. I know: What does this have to do with homeless issues? You’ll soon find out after I finish explaining what Michael Jackson’s song to Liz was. When Michael got on stage, it was live, being aired with no delays. The beginning of the song was intense. Everyone in the audience was famous but my friend and me. The audience became quiet and all eyes were focused on Michael as he started to perform. Even with my black tux, I felt inferior to the rest of the people who breathed just like me. However, my eyes were focused and chills were present. The lights dimmed and there was the most talented entertainer in the world about to sing the song he wrote for Liz. However, when Michael sang, the fun became a harsh reality of what this beautiful woman went through in her life. I have listened to the song over and over and I think I got the words correct. These were the words he sang for her: Welcome to Hollywood, That’s what they told you, A child star in Hollywood, That’s what they sold you, Grace and beauty, Charm and talent, You would do what you were told, But they robbed you of your childhood, Took your youth and sold it for gold, Elizabeth, I love you, You the very star that showed the world to me, Elizabeth, can’t you see that it is true I love you. You are more than just a star to me, Lovely Elizabeth, you have surpassed them all, Life and Elizabeth learned how to outlasts them all, Lady, started back when you did, Lost their way, And now they are gone, But now look at you, A true survivor, Full of life and caring on, This is your life, You seemed to have it all, You reached your peak, They wanted you to fall, It is very sad that this world can be so bad, But though all the hard aces when they put you down, You know you were the victor and you earned the crown, It’s like walking through fire determined to win. There was a time when I was alone, You stood by my side and said to be strong, You did all these things that only a true friend could do, I pray one day I’ll be just like you. Now, as you can also see by the words, Michael’s song to Liz was true at heart. For Michael had some problems in his life, and she was there for him. This article is a reprint from about two years ago but I thought I would rewrite some of it because of the problems that face people today are getting worse these days. Drug use and crimes on the homeless have increased greatly. . I often wonder today, if Liz is standing by his side. I do not know if Mr. Jackson is guilty of the crimes he has been accused of and I hope in my heart he is not because his music has always been about change, feeding the poor and life struggles. I would hope to think that these charges are just made up and it will be proven that he is innocent. When I hear his music of feeding the poor it has motivated me in the past but somehow today because of the allegations my motivation is weaken. I must tell you from my heart that this night meant the world to me. I got to hang with so many big names, and nowhere in my life did I think that I’d be able to share a common goal with celebrities, and that goal was to raise money for people with AIDS. I must state again, that when I got back from the party, it was then that I knew I needed to do more and that is why I started this shelter. Now, in my life, I hang with people that most would regard to as nobodies. But I can tell you that the homeless are celebrities in my own heart. When I originally started on the text of this story an old friend advised me that “How could I compare the homeless problems to the movie stars problems.” They told me it was a mean thing to do. In fact the person was down out firm and criticized me to the maximum. I too this day could not understand their reasoning but people have a right to their decision. But it is simple. I guess when you don’t work with the homeless all year long it is hard to understand them, however, each one has their own talents and at the same time, their shortcomings. Look at the celebrities, they fall just like the homeless, however their falls are not as hard because they can be broken by piles of money to help them. In fact their falls take longer to hit rock bottom because they have the resources to prevent homelessness. Some stars have gone through $5000 a day with cocaine problems. People living in homes with low income may only have a $10.00 a day drinking h a b i t , Instant Drug Tests Continued next page Sean, pre-Meningitis

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