I Remember You
"A Different Corner" - Brit Awards 2017
The events of the past several months have this blog writer contemplating whether this world will ever live up to the hopes that pop music icon George Michael had for it. Music is the universal language and through his music Michael not only outlined the story of his life but also the great expectations that he held for the world. A free world where people would live harmoniously. A world where love, equality and kindness prevails. A world where hate of all forms is extinguished.
We must all take responsibility to ensure that this world becomes the place that Michael envisioned it could be not only for ourselves but for future generations. In continuing forward with that in mind it's my great honor to introduce you to Marcha and Claire two Lovelies who are positive forces in a community darkened by unimaginable acts of hatred. Two Lovelies who epitomize the very essence of what Michael believed a Lovely to be: honest, kind, peaceful, caring, loving, selfless and giving.
We all bring something beautiful and unique to the table of diversity but these two Lovelies stand out for different reasons to me.
Marcha, is a Lovely who underestimates what she means to George Michael's community of fans who gather on the social networking site Twitter. Sometimes, Marcha's kindness is mistaken for weakness but make no mistake she is a lioness who firmly stands up for what she believes in. From the smallest act of kindness ie. including someone in a good morning post her positive nature often serves as the catalyst for how one's day progresses. Thank you for inspiring others by just being you.
Claire is one of the Lovelies who stands out for her fundraising efforts as part of the group Freedom4GM but more so for her tireless promotion of Michael's posthumous single Fantasy ft. Nile Rodger. The fervor with which she made her impassioned appeals to every outlet she could think of and the support she lent to others who were doing the same demonstrates the power of uniting for a cause. Claires's efforts in addition to others resulted in the Huffington Post UK doing a piece on the single.
Individually and collectively these two Lovelies are now inspiring others with their tribute spaces honoring the memory of their late pop icon George Michael. The unique spaces that the Lovelies have created serve as their personal sanctuaries ... spaces where they take refuge, find solace from the bustling world around them: a place where they can clear their minds or just simply feel a sense of closeness to Michael.
We must all take responsibility to ensure that this world becomes the place that Michael envisioned it could be not only for ourselves but for future generations. In continuing forward with that in mind it's my great honor to introduce you to Marcha and Claire two Lovelies who are positive forces in a community darkened by unimaginable acts of hatred. Two Lovelies who epitomize the very essence of what Michael believed a Lovely to be: honest, kind, peaceful, caring, loving, selfless and giving.
We all bring something beautiful and unique to the table of diversity but these two Lovelies stand out for different reasons to me.
Marcha, is a Lovely who underestimates what she means to George Michael's community of fans who gather on the social networking site Twitter. Sometimes, Marcha's kindness is mistaken for weakness but make no mistake she is a lioness who firmly stands up for what she believes in. From the smallest act of kindness ie. including someone in a good morning post her positive nature often serves as the catalyst for how one's day progresses. Thank you for inspiring others by just being you.
Claire is one of the Lovelies who stands out for her fundraising efforts as part of the group Freedom4GM but more so for her tireless promotion of Michael's posthumous single Fantasy ft. Nile Rodger. The fervor with which she made her impassioned appeals to every outlet she could think of and the support she lent to others who were doing the same demonstrates the power of uniting for a cause. Claires's efforts in addition to others resulted in the Huffington Post UK doing a piece on the single.
Individually and collectively these two Lovelies are now inspiring others with their tribute spaces honoring the memory of their late pop icon George Michael. The unique spaces that the Lovelies have created serve as their personal sanctuaries ... spaces where they take refuge, find solace from the bustling world around them: a place where they can clear their minds or just simply feel a sense of closeness to Michael.
Marcha: Since I was 15 years old when I bought my first CD "Ladies & Gentlemen".
Claire: I have been a George fan since the beginning (1982) George was my first and only celebrity crush.
What country are you in?
Marcha: I'm from the Netherlands.
Claire: I am in the UK.
Are you members of George Michael's official fan club or follow his official website?
Marcha: I follow www.georgemichael.com on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news.
Claire: Yes, I am a member of the George Michael fan club.
You are both involved with special Facebook groups can you tell us a little about them?
Marcha: I run two beautiful groups on Facebook they are George-Michael-Fanathitude which has 2,038 members and Fastlove (thank you Debora and Mohammad for asking me)
George-Michael- Fanathitude: https://www.facebook.com/groups/433622680002768/
Claire: I, first became a member of #Freedom4GM in 2010 when George received his prison
sentence. I
rejoined the group after George passed away as I knew that there would be
like minded people all feeling the same loss that I felt. I quickly became
reacquainted with Tonia and some of the other girls. I'm a member of the group
but I also set up and manage the group's YouTube channel. If I remember rightly, I made a video of
George's birthday in Highgate which led to Tonia asking me if I would do
something similar for the group. I also do the filming and editing of the
Highgate videos. I'm in the
process of creating a video which was filmed for our Macmillan event.
NEWS ALERT: Claire is also in the process of creating another platform for #Freedom4GM which will be revealed soon!
Freedom For GM; https://www.facebook.com/groups/151197021578323/
NEWS ALERT: Claire is also in the process of creating another platform for #Freedom4GM which will be revealed soon!
What is your favorite George Michael song?
Marcha: Depends on my mood, really. I adore "You Have Been Loved", "I'm Your Man" and "Praying For Time".
Claire: I'm not sure that I can choose just one George song that is my favourite because I honestly love everything he has written and performed. I can tell you that my favourite cover song is 'If You Were My Woman' which he performed at the Nelson Mandela concert.
Has George Michael's passing changed the way you listen to his music?
Marcha: Yes, it did. I listen to his lyrics maybe now more then ever.
Claire: I'm not sure if it's changed the way I listen to his music. But I've found myself digging out old videos and revisiting George's earlier music and interviews. George has always consistently been played in my home. My family and friends have always understood, whether they liked it or not, that George is a huge part of my life
Are there songs you cannot bring yourself to listen to?
Marcha: Yes, I still can't listen to "Last Christmas", "December Song" (hope I can in December) and "White Light".
Claire: There are a few songs that I cannot listen to. The most obvious being "Last Christmas" but I find "Father Figure" a tough one and also "Through" and "White Light".
Marcha: Depends on my mood, really. I adore "You Have Been Loved", "I'm Your Man" and "Praying For Time".
Claire: I'm not sure that I can choose just one George song that is my favourite because I honestly love everything he has written and performed. I can tell you that my favourite cover song is 'If You Were My Woman' which he performed at the Nelson Mandela concert.
Has George Michael's passing changed the way you listen to his music?
Marcha: Yes, it did. I listen to his lyrics maybe now more then ever.
Claire: I'm not sure if it's changed the way I listen to his music. But I've found myself digging out old videos and revisiting George's earlier music and interviews. George has always consistently been played in my home. My family and friends have always understood, whether they liked it or not, that George is a huge part of my life
Are there songs you cannot bring yourself to listen to?
Marcha: Yes, I still can't listen to "Last Christmas", "December Song" (hope I can in December) and "White Light".
Claire: There are a few songs that I cannot listen to. The most obvious being "Last Christmas" but I find "Father Figure" a tough one and also "Through" and "White Light".
Marcha's - "G" Room
When did you create your sanctuary known as the “G” Room?
Marcha: I created the "G" room about three years ago. I was bored, saw the empty white walls and thought lets make a change!
What served as your inspiration?
Marcha: Well, I do have some fan magazines from the 80's that teenagers showed their rooms decorated with their idols so I thought I can do it too.
What items or souvenirs do you collect?
Marcha: I have lots of things here: cds ,dvds ,vinyls, a few cassettes, pillows, books, a mirror, pictures, posters and a flag too.
Tell us how family members contribute towards this special interest.
Marcha: My dad looks a lot on the internet and asks me do you have this? and sometimes I buy things and have done that for 15 years now. Both of my parents love his music. I do love Queen and David Bowie also so they are very present in the room as well. GM loved their music too so we have something in common.
Since, George Michael's passing has the "G" room served as a comfort for you or has it taken on a new meaning?
Marcha: My "G" room is always a comfort to me. If, I have a difficult time or have some of my own struggles I go always there and listen to his music. Most of time I find my answers there. Since he is gone it really feels he is with me.
What
does being a “Lovely” mean to you?
Marcha: A lovely is something wonderful. Being for each other, to talk about the man we all love is such a blessing. I hope that one day there will be more peace within George Michael's fan base.
If, you could speak to GM (today) what would you say to him?
Marcha: If, I could speak to George Michael ... I would say thank you George for your music, your support and thanks to you I have a second family with great lovelies that I love dearly. Finally, George I just love you and I always will.
Marcha: A lovely is something wonderful. Being for each other, to talk about the man we all love is such a blessing. I hope that one day there will be more peace within George Michael's fan base.
If, you could speak to GM (today) what would you say to him?
Marcha: If, I could speak to George Michael ... I would say thank you George for your music, your support and thanks to you I have a second family with great lovelies that I love dearly. Finally, George I just love you and I always will.
Adele - Grammy Tribute
Claire's - "Mini Highgate"
When did you create your tribute garden?
Claire: My tribute garden began when I decided that I was not going to take down my outside Christmas lights. The tradition here in the UK is all Christmas decorations are to be taken down and put away by the 12th night (Epiphany) I decided my outdoor solar lights would remain lit all year round for George. From there it just grew I gradually bought more lights and bought plants which were either called George or were purple in colour or had some significance. My solar lights come on every night.
What served as your inspiration?
Claire: I'm not on the doorstep to Highgate (it's approximately 200 miles away) so having my own little tribute area just makes me feel close and it's a way of saying I'm not letting go. That Christmas day night when the news broke about George all the Christmas lights were lit and it just seemed so fitting that those lights would continue to stay lit for George. Before I could visit Highgate in person I sent Tonia the same purple lights that I had in my garden at home to light up the trees at Highgate
Tell us how family members contribute to this special interest.
Claire: Family members have come to appreciate my garden area, it looks pretty, my mum has bought a few of the plants for me. Even my son quite likes it. I guess, people who know me well understand, they all know how important George is to me. There are some people who do not understand and question if I am going through some midlife crisis because I feel the need to go to Highgate once a month or have a George tribute garden at my home. It really doesn't bother me what they think.
Is there a little of GM throughout your home?
Claire: There is a little of George throughout my home. Whether it be his music, to photos, to candles and purple painted 'LOVE' and 'GM' letters, to memorabilia.
Claire: There is a little of George throughout my home. Whether it be his music, to photos, to candles and purple painted 'LOVE' and 'GM' letters, to memorabilia.
Since, George Michael's passing has the tribute garden served as a comfort for you or taken on a deeper meaning?
Claire: The tribute garden both at my home and the one at Highgate gives me great comfort. It gives me a sense of closeness to George. I guess it's my way of saying I'll never forget you and no matter how dark the world gets there will always be a light that shines bright for you.
"If You Were My Woman"
/
What
does being a “Lovely” mean to you?
Claire: Being a 'lovely' is both a privilege and an honour. It's about love and loyalty. I'm proud to be one of George's Lovelies. George gave so much of himself to us through his music. He gave so much of himself to the world through his kindness and generosity. And as a lovely, I feel the need to ensure that George's legacy lives on through us. George never let his Lovelies down and his Lovelies will not let him down either
If, you could speak to George Michael (today) what would you say to him?
Claire: If I could speak to George today I would tell him how much I admire him, how much I appreciate his talent and generosity. I would tell him how much he is loved and respected And I would tell tell him that he will always have a very special place in my heart for as long as I live.
Claire: Being a 'lovely' is both a privilege and an honour. It's about love and loyalty. I'm proud to be one of George's Lovelies. George gave so much of himself to us through his music. He gave so much of himself to the world through his kindness and generosity. And as a lovely, I feel the need to ensure that George's legacy lives on through us. George never let his Lovelies down and his Lovelies will not let him down either
If, you could speak to George Michael (today) what would you say to him?
Claire: If I could speak to George today I would tell him how much I admire him, how much I appreciate his talent and generosity. I would tell him how much he is loved and respected And I would tell tell him that he will always have a very special place in my heart for as long as I live.
"If You Were My Woman"
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Personal Note:
Someone asked me the same question that I asked Marcha and Claire ... If you could speak to George Michael today what would you say to him? At first, my response was much the same as the Lovelies but upon further thought I responded as follows:
"I would say nothing ... I would simply hold his hand the same way in which I've felt his presence the past several weeks. A firm squeeze for reassurance that things would be alright."
A Message To All The Loyal Fans
From George Michael
