There are many friends, and authors who eloquently have written about this aspect of Elvis’ life, (i.e. Marty Lacker, Red West, Sonny West,  Alanna Nash, Billy Smith, Joe Esposito, Jerry Schilling, etc.) who were with Elvis when Priscilla was pregnant (from May 1, 1967 to February 1, 1068) – when Lisa Marie was born – and for the 9+ years Lisa Marie was  with her Father (as he sadly died on August 16, 1977).

There is not a shred of a doubt that Elvis loved Lisa Marie from; the moment it was confirmed Priscilla was pregnant, to every kick and movement during those 9 months, to the deliver (note: back then the man was not allowed in the delivery room and they had to wait in a designated “waiting room”).

Also, in southern culture (which I know firsthand and is a prominent place of where I come from and how I look at certain things especially respect, admiration, appreciation, etc. for women) the Father was kept from seeing his wife and newborn child until both were cleaned up and “presentable”. Furthermore the Father, in this case Elvis, was given strict instructions about Priscillas expected recovery time which Elvis not only took to heart but he had a deeply held belief that God gives life through the mother and that her body is literally a sanctuary and the relationship between man and wife can change (still loving and caring but “different”) once a child is born.

Priscilla and Elvis married both wanted children but I don’t believe that Priscilla envisioned that she would become pregnant on her honeymoon. Thus, this celebratory time in their life soon turned to semi-bedrest and after the birth months of recovery.

Priscilla becoming pregnant was a great joy in Elvis’ life and he was a loving, concerned, and proud expectant Father. He doted on Priscilla and together they chose names should it be a son and/or a daughter.

1967 was a turning point in Elvis’ life as he was on the cusp of getting out of his movie contracts, that had been in place since his release from the US Army whereby Elvis starred in (approximately) three movies per year and had stifled Elvis’ creative juices and kept him from appearing before a live audience something that he truly loved…and needed,  and he was in better physcial shape.

But he, nor anyone else, had any idea that within the next two years he would catapult back into the forefront of the musical world and renew his superstardom first by his 1968 Singer TV Special (by the talented Steve Binder) entitled “Elvis” and then his successful return to live performances starting in Las Vegas.

Lisa Marie was the greatest love of Elvis’ life.

She had the best of Elvis’ features as well as those of her stunningly beautiful mother Priscilla. She was quick witted, smart, and (like her Father) seemed to be always on the move.

Thankfully, Lisa Marie has shared many of her stories/recollections about her and her beloved Father (i.e. in videos, books, interviews, photographs, etc.) which I encourage everyone to seek out and enjoy.

The photographs taken of Elvis and Priscilla in the hospital with newborn Lisa Marie show a smiling, animated, laughing, and joyously proud Elvis who took to holding, and fonding over,  Lisa Marie like he had done it his whole life. Of course Priscilla looks beautiful and her smiles are equally bright and the love she has for her daughter is evident in every breath… every movement.

Writing this blog will never do justice to the love Elvis had for Lisa Marie. I think their love was beautiful, consuming, unique, and eternal. I believed that he loved her so much and that when the marriage between Elvis and Priscilla began to deteriorate it adversely effected Elvis every moment of his life. I don’t believe Elvis ever thought that he would bring a child into this world and not be able to spend their lives together with an enduring triangle of love cemented by an ever present Mother and Father.

Lisa Marie has been blessed to have her own children who I am sure she loves greatly. Lisa Marie is a multi-talented woman who is sensitive, regal, and in so many ways strong/brave/fierce. She is married to Mr. Michael Lockwood since 2006 and by all accounts they are happy, committed, and loving parents. I wish her and her family all the best in life.

Elvis spoiled Lisa Marie with gifts, attention, freedom, etc. I believe he did this, in part, because of his childhood growing up with love but also in adjunct poverty. Also, I believe Elvis (like many of us do) had an internal clock that was known only to Elvis but precipitated his intentions and his actions.

Perhaps it was because his mother died on August 14, 1958. For whatever reasons Elvis, as he did in every aspect of his life, did what he thought best and the end result was that he raised (along with Priscilla) an  exceptional woman in her own right.

I believe that Elvis Presley was a good Father. That he showed his love to Lisa Marie and that his love has, in part, sustained her throughout her life.

Lastly, I believe that true love is not only essential but never ending. That true love is not defined by geography, time, space, or presence. That true love is the greatest gift God bestowed to us other than his son, Jesus. I believe that the love between Elvis and Lisa Marie exists to their very day and that, as it should be, it belongs between them.

** Note – though I possess many photographs of Elvis with Lisa Marie I made a decision decades ago that it is not my place to show them to the general public. That the only person who should control those moments encapsulated on film (i.e. photos and videos). I am also very appreciative to Lisa Marie for giving of her time to Elvis Presley fans worldwide and to carry on supporting worthwhile charitable endeavors as Elvis did throughout his life.

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HAPPY FATHERS DAY 2016.

Take care and may God bless you and yours…always.

Jeff Schrembs – 2016 All Rights Reserved

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