The way you make me feel
I was always alone, the entire space all to myself.
It was the coolest room in the house during hot and humid days. The ground was smooth, poured concrete, and two grated air vents sat on the bottom corners of the garage door. There were no windows, but by ducking low you could squint to see outside through the metal slits.
In the corner of the room sat my plastic, brown forty-five record player. A cheap relic, even for the time, but it worked.
During the week I shared my bedroom with my grandmother, my mother’s mom. Monday through Friday while my parents worked full time, she was there. But every now and then on the weekends, my other grandmother came to stay with us, my father’s mom. Her visits were more rare so when she did stay over, she aimed to please, at least her grandchildren anyway.
“What do you want for your 5th birthday?” she asked in Cantonese.
“Well…um…maybe a record.” I replied with trepidation.
My elderly Chinese grandmother had no idea what records were. Nor did she speak English, or drive, but she was eager to please, and with that we were off to the nearest music store.
“This one grandma. This is the one. This is the only thing I ever wanted for my birthday,” I cried.
“Twenty DOLLARS!” she scolded, whipping her head around in horror.
“It’s the only thing I want, and I don’t want anything else for Christmas. Can I please have it? Please?” I begged in my broken Cantonese.
“Oh…oh, alright!” she exasperated, and briskly walked to the check out.
It was enormous. The expanded, bi-fold album cover was taller than my upper body. I smiled as I found the inside liner photo of the singer sitting with a baby tiger. Slowly, my tiny fingers pinched the edge of the black vinyl, tugging it gently from its sleeve. I reached down and turned the dusty knob until the small turntable spun.
It barely fit. With each revolution, I cringed in fear of the record edge scraping along the plastic case. Ruining it. But it never did. So with delicate anticipation, I raised the needle and placed it gently along the edge of the spinning record.
Inside of those private, windowless walls and along those cool, smooth floors, I danced endlessly to the songs on the Thriller album. It became a space where this tiny, awkward Chinese girl could move freely, shielded from discerning eyes, laughter, and judgment outside. It was the only place I felt…free.
That record spun endlessly for several years. And to this day, it is one of the only gifts I remember from my childhood.
Every note and every step brings back so many moments from my life. Back to when cardboard boxes covered our garage floor for dancing, or when my first boyfriend and I held hands.
His voice has been the soundtrack of my life for so long. And lately, it echoes in my mind asking, ‘Remember The Time…’
I always will.
I always will.
Loved it…thanks for sharing!
Yasmin’s last blog post..Hold Love Strong by Mathew Aaron Goodman
June 29th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
What a great story! I think we all have memories at one time or another that includes MJ! Even my kids know who he is because of us!!!
Cute picture!!!!
Alicia’s last blog post..MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY
June 30th, 2009 at 12:17 am
I don’t know what I love more…YOU or the Picture!!
Okay…You win, but that picture is a close second.
Grandy’s last blog post..A letter to Grandy’s Bank
June 30th, 2009 at 12:53 am
I have been very peased that there have been so many people who have been willing — while acknowledging that Michael Jackson was a VERY complex person, with many different sides — to acknowledge the impact that this amazingly talented person had, for good, in their lives.
Chris’s last blog post..Michael Jackson
June 30th, 2009 at 12:54 am
That was a fantastic post. I love the way you tell stories.
Melissa’s last blog post..Sand!
June 30th, 2009 at 1:33 am
what a wonderful memory …
the planet of janet’s last blog post..The ABCs of French
June 30th, 2009 at 1:46 am
OMG, Sandy! I swear you and I could have been twins separated at birth! I had THE SAME Chinese girl haircut, THE SAME school bag with the apples on it, and THE SAME MJ Thriller pin! *sue Twilight Zone music*
C’s last blog post..Mi Familia
June 30th, 2009 at 3:21 am
so young already into MJ?????
anyway, remember the time is one of the song and video i like even though i dont fancy him
wen’s last blog post..Replacing Furniture
June 30th, 2009 at 4:48 am
And who can resist Thriller?
I love MJ too…and wow you’re a fan at such a young age!
Mariposa’s last blog post..Light Fixtures
June 30th, 2009 at 5:23 am
Sandy, that picture is PRICELESS, you were soooo cute, Thriller pin and all. Great story, and how cool is it that your Mah-Mah bought it for you
!
Karen MEG’s last blog post..The most important job
June 30th, 2009 at 8:46 am
what a great memory, I love your picture!
Leidy’s last blog post..Summer
June 30th, 2009 at 8:53 am
This is a brilliant, beautiful post, Momisodes. It is so strong in so, so many ways. I’m glad you had that outlet.
Jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..Some Bloggy Stuff
June 30th, 2009 at 9:19 am
What a great memory!
Emily’s last blog post..True Story Tuesday – Melody and the diaper disaster.
June 30th, 2009 at 9:49 am
You’re so cute! I’m glad your grandma indulged you — maybe she did realize how much it meant to you. It’s so great when we get our heart’s desire as little kids. Although I was never a big Michael fan, I did feel like dancing whenever I heard his music, and his own dancing rivaled Fred Astaire’s.
Dot’s last blog post..My Mother Has Passed
June 30th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Once again, I hear an echo of words uttered here long ago – You Should Be a Writer.
lceel’s last blog post..Minor Irritations
June 30th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Oh man – I’m right there with you. I had a MJ album too! Mine was “Bad”. I was fake moon walking and finger-poppin’ all over the place. I can’t imagine my childhood with out that record.
Mishi’s last blog post..Tehran: Burning for freedom
June 30th, 2009 at 10:53 am
What a special memory! I didn’t own any Michael Jackson music until I was in college, but my HIStory CD is still one of my favorites!
Muthering Heights’s last blog post..Nothin’ To See Here…
June 30th, 2009 at 11:24 am
How cute are you??
Alana @ The Good Girl Gone Blog’s last blog post..Jen vs. Angelina: how did it come to this?
June 30th, 2009 at 11:26 am
That $20 sure was worth the investment. I hope your Grandma knew how much you played it. It’s a great story and well told.
Maria@Conversations with Moms’s last blog post..Kids say – Has this day come already?
June 30th, 2009 at 11:38 am
What a great post! I remember that album so vividly as well!! Such a great rememberance, thanks for posting!!
Sarah’s last blog post..Shades of the Past
June 30th, 2009 at 11:50 am
This is a great post. That is awesome it holds such memories for you — the song, the record player, all of it.
I was pulled right into the moment with you!
June 30th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Wonderful post!
My grandson spent the weekend with us (he’s 7) and we showed him quite a few of MJ’s videos on YouTube. I think he watched the Thriller on at least ten times.
Employee No. 3699’s last blog post..More Druid Porn…
June 30th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
I so had a MJ button, purse, picture, man. You should see me and hubby dancing all weekend. He had the glove.
Felicia – I Complete Me’s last blog post..Overwhelmed Mothers
June 30th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
How adorable are you???? Very, very cute.
That was my first cassette on my first brand new walkman! And much like you, I was hitting the dancefloor at that young age, except it was at every birthday party I was ever invited to!! (Even if I was the only kid dancing alone and there was really no dance floor at all, I just improvised…yeah, dork award here!)
My son is exactly the same. The child was born dancing. When he was a baby he would dance to the telephone ringing! He’s still a total show stopper anywhere we go and there’s music (I, of course, no longer try to steal the show now that I’ve matured to old age, lol).
Does Babisodes bust the moves like you did as a little girl?
Thanks for the great post!
Carlen
June 30th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
What a nice tribute – well written – It took me back.
I remember watching the video in high school – over and over.
Elle’s last blog post..The Mystery of the Missing Frying Pan
June 30th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
LOVE this post! Cute picture as well. I remember we had Thriller on 8 track and could only listen to it in our camping trailer. Good times. Good times…
kspin’s last blog post..Making Progress
June 30th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Girl that picture is priceless!
Nap Warden’s last blog post..That’s Me!
June 30th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…you write beautifully. I absolutely loved this!
genny’s last blog post..Laughter: It’s Good Medicine for Moms
June 30th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
That picture? Is amazing. I’m so glad you shared it!
Allison’s last blog post..Who Told Him He Could Turn Into A Kid?
June 30th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
A beautiful memory, beautifully written.
I have very few memories of my childhood but the ones I do have are all attached to specific music. My own soundtrack includes a lot of Mr. Jackson.
Thank you for writing this.
Lisa Rae @ smacksy’s last blog post..Anatomy: 105
June 30th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
You were one cute kid! I think I had that same lunchbox! I didn’t love Thriller the album, but I could watch the video over and over. Remember, back when MTV still played videos. Memories.
Cara’s last blog post..Some Days…
June 30th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
What a wonderful story. I have fond memories of the eighties too. When you started to describe the record I guessed that it was MJ’s Thriller album.
I never had that album but like Cara I watched the video several times on MTV. I remember how anxious everyone was for the release of the video.
Cascia @ Healthy Moms’s last blog post..Multimedia can Help Your Business Stand Out
June 30th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Love this post. Cute pic!!!
Mama in Suburbia’s last blog post..Have Bags, Have Wagon…Will Travel
June 30th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
My favorite tribute post to MJ yet because it kind of was and kind of wasn’t. For me, the grade school MJ memories are mostly of Off the Wall because I’m apparently that much older, but his music spanned so many life moments. I loved hearing about yours.
Maggie’s Mind’s last blog post..Thinking of You, Iran
July 1st, 2009 at 12:29 am
LOVE this post. I love everything about it.
dysfunctional mom’s last blog post..Weekend Wrap-Up 6.29.09
July 1st, 2009 at 2:39 am
What a nice memory. Great picture of you too.
Joyce-Anne’s last blog post..Vacation is all I ever wanted
July 1st, 2009 at 12:46 pm
I also remember getting the Thriller album as kid. Now I have that song, “the way you make me feel” stuck in my head and everyone who hears me humming it today will blame you
Cookie’s last blog post..Name Change
July 1st, 2009 at 1:49 pm
I now can’t stop singing the song!
krystal’s last blog post..Heartache
July 1st, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I loved that album and spun it endlessly. Even though we don’t own a turn table, it’s probably the only album I wish I’d hung on to.
Great story!
Kimberly’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Feeling the void
July 1st, 2009 at 3:29 pm
What a beautiful tribute.
Jientje’s last blog post..A Thousand Words in Idioms, O and P
July 1st, 2009 at 5:35 pm
That is such a cute picture of you!
louann’s last blog post..You’ve Got To Vent It Out
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:54 am
I love this post! I had Thriller on tape and listened to it until the cassette wore out. *sigh*
July 6th, 2009 at 12:14 pm