A Little Thing Called Life

by Linda Thompson

  Several years ago, Brandon started playing music with a young woman, Leah Felder, who had grown up in Malibu, too. Her father, Don Felder, was a founding member of the Eagles, so I knew him from the music world and our local Malibu community. She’d even gone to the same school as the boys, but she’d been in the grade between them. She always had long, gorgeous, naturally blond hair that was thick like a horse’s mane. And she always looked like a beautiful wildflower, just totally free.

  Brandon and Leah with some other homegrown Malibu musicians formed a band, Big Dume, together. She and Brandon kind of looked at each other one day and that was it. They’ve been together for twelve years, married for four. Their anniversary is September 5, which is the day my mother died, as well as Leah’s mother’s birthday. And their beautiful baby girl, Eva, my pride and joy, is soon to be a spirited one-year-old with the most winsome, infectious smile imaginable. Leah is drop-dead gorgeous, an exemplary mother, nurturing, spiritually aware, and loving. Brandon has turned out to be a very present, amazing, devoted, loving father, and a perfect example of the true meaning of fatherhood. I couldn’t be more blessed with how my family has grown over the years.

  I loved being the mother of boys, and I am equally as thrilled to be the motherin-law of two beautiful young women, whom I consider more like daughters than daughters-in-law. As a matter of fact, I love them so much, I’ve decided to call them my daughters-in-love rather than law. As well as the beautiful Leah that Brandon brought into my life, Brody has blessed me with his gorgeous fiancée, Kaitlynn Carter. Kaitlynn is a very intelligent, down-to-earth, exquisitely beautiful, industrious girl from New Hampshire. I love her so much that I jokingly said to Brody, “If you don’t ask this girl to marry you, I’m going to ask her for you.”

  Oh, and yes, we all get the irony of the two Caitlin/Kaitlynn Jenners looming. Do I wish the former Bruce had chosen another name? Well, it would have been easier for all of us when referring to which Caitlin/Kaitlynn we are trying to reference. But in the scheme of things, that’s a very small problem.

  Brandon has just finished a new EP of five original songs and I am humbled and thrilled at how incredible every note and lyric of his music is. It’s truly inspirational. He’s a helicopter pilot, a fixed-wing pilot, and just your typical Renaissance man. Brody is one of the hardest-working people I have ever known and has toured the world deejaying. He is writing original music as well and is always creating new ventures. He has created, produced, and starred in three more TV shows since his days as a standout performer on The Hills. Brody continues to be fiercely loyal, while Brandon is our family diplomat. I could not be more proud of the noble, remarkable men they have grown into. They are the solid ground on which I stand.

  Sometimes what we have to give is the gift of our resilience and our perspective. If I’ve accomplished anything on this front, it’s the success with which I’ve imparted these lessons to my sons. And they have rewarded me by becoming my own greatest teachers. I would venture to say I have probably learned more from Brandon and Brody than they have learned from me. Brandon and Brody have continually humbled and inspired me with everything they’ve had to accept, forgive, understand, and tolerate in their lives. Throughout all these challenges, I’m grateful for how they’ve managed to remain so honorable, loving, and open. They’re really present for everyone in their lives, and their positive attitude is an incredible example for all of us.

  In the eleven years since I have been separated, and finally divorced, from David, I have learned how to be alone, and enjoy my own company. I have found it liberating, to be quite honest.

  That is not to say that I don’t still feel that life is much better shared. But I have discovered so many different kinds of love and people with whom to share that love. I have found those relationships equally as fulfilling as romantic love, which I still experience, but am not consumed by.

  I have traveled all over the world, sometimes with my sons and their loves, sometimes with my brother, Sam, and sister-in-law, Louise, with my nieces, with friends, and sometimes with a boyfriend. I can make my own decisions about how many dogs I wish to have, as silly as that may sound. After all, my senescent dogs have been my most faithful and devoted companions for many years, giving me great joy and gratification. I have fifty fruit trees on my property, and I make apricot and plum jam as well as citrus marmalade every year to give out as Christmas presents and on other occasions for my friends and family. It is a gift made with love, time, and energy. Those are the best gifts we can give or receive.

  Perhaps part of my greater comfort living in my own space now is due to the fact that the three men with whom I lived, and to whom I gave my heart so completely, were such alpha males, and type-A, driven personalities. I played my own willing part in adapting my life primarily around theirs, with no residual regret. As my son, Brandon, wrote in one of his musical compositions, “Regret is such a waste of energy, you can’t go back in time.”

  It is my hope and humble prayer that sharing my life’s extraordinary journey and my heart’s deepest emotions in these pages might result in a sense of connectivity for all of us who live and breathe. For no matter how rarified our experiences, as human beings, we share more commonalities than differences.

  I have cultivated a blind faith in life, trusting that it does unfold as it is meant to. As much as we may try to guide its course, life has a way of working itself out in its own way, and in its own time. Our mission is simply to try to incorporate honesty, integrity, accountability, kindness, tolerance, generosity, gratitude, patience, love, and forgiveness in our daily lives.

  Along with the failures, the triumphs, the pain, the pleasure, the good, the bad, the highs, the lows, the happy, and the sad, we must not lose the lessons we are challenged to receive and to pass on to others … What a beautiful gift we have been given—a little thing called life.

  Acknowledgments

  There are so many wonderful, inspirational people worth mentioning in my acknowledgments. I’m sure I may leave out some who deserve to be recognized, and my hope is that you will know who you are, forgive my brain lapse, and understand how much you have meant to my life and remembrances.

  Brandon, your love for your gorgeous wife, Leah, is inspirational. Leah, you amaze me with your talents, beauty, and humility. You are what every woman aspires to be on so many levels. I love you. You are an incredible mother to my precious first grandchild, the incomparable Eva James Jenner! Every time I see Eva smile, my faith in life is renewed and my heart melts. Brandon, you are everything that a father should be, just as you are exemplary in so many ways. Eva is a very lucky little girl to have you both as her parents! I love you.

  Brody, your deep love for your beautiful fiancée, Kaitlynn, makes my heart happy. Kaitlynn, thank you for always being so present, thoughtful, and inclusive. I adore spending time with you and the freedom of sharing our feelings. I love you. You have a special place in my heart. Brody, thank you for consistently being such a fierce and loyal ally. Your honesty and integrity are outstanding in a world not always so transparent. I love you.

  My brother, Sam, you have always been my most constant friend, and we have a bond of shared history that can never be broken. I admire your intelligence and integrity more than you may ever realize. You are that rare man who can effectively communicate his feelings with truth and compassion. I love you. And to my other best friend, Louise, you are the dearest, most solid, authentic, reliable friend I’ve ever known. I respect your faith in God and your efforts to be the best person you can. I’m so lucky to call you my sister in law for all these years. You are, in truth, my sister. I love you.

  My darling nieces, Jennifer and Amy, you have been so deeply ensconced in my heart from the first moment I saw your baby faces! I’m so very proud of how you have both worked exceedingly hard to help others in your professional lives! You have never been superficially motivated, but remain down-to-earth and focused with your natural beauty always shining through. You, like your
mom, Louise, make me proud of my gender. I love you both as if you were my own children, and I love your significant others as well, Sebastian and Murat. I also love your babies as if they were my own grandchildren! Mason, born on Elvis’s birthday, is so affectionate, intelligent, and playful; he and I have always had a special closeness. And baby Ayla is on her way to being a great girl like her mommy, Amy, and her Aunt Jennifer!

  Aunt Betty, Aunt Dorothy, Aunt Marie, Aunt Christine, cousins Helen, Janet, Shelly, Brenda, Lori, David, Daphne, Wally, Jackie, Scott, Steve, Ninny, Pappaw, Grandma, and all—please know that I love my family, and I thank you all for being who you are individually, and for being such an integral part of my life.

  I am so lucky to have someone I call my “ex-wife-in-law,” Chrystie Scott. I love you, and I thank you for being a part of my family for so many years. I adore you, Cassandra, and your beautiful family, Michael, Frankie, and Bella. Burt and Valerie, your baby boy on the way is sure to be a precious addition to our family! I love you, Burt and Casey. I always have and I always will. You are so dear to me and a big part of my best memories.

  Sarah Tomlinson, I could not have done this without your help. Your patience, lack of ego, kindness, intelligence, and empathy inspired me to write from my heart. Your willingness to let me “take the reins” says everything about how gracious, professional, and competent you are. You are a truly lovely spirit, and you have become a most cherished friend during this intense process. Thank you.

  Matt Harper, you are every writer’s dream editor! Thank you for your expertise, sensitivity, knowledge, time, and commitment to this project. You are a credit to your profession! Lisa Sharkey, thank you for your belief in me and the encouragement you gave me. Heidi Richter and Michael Barrs, thank you for all of your efforts to help me promote this book.

  Jan Miller, I am so grateful for your friendship and your support during this process. You are a remarkable woman and I treasure our relationship, both professional and personal.

  I have been inordinately blessed with the most loyal of friends. You are too numerous to mention, but I’ll try to acknowledge some of you here. I want you to know by this acknowledgment, that any kindness you have shown me is not unrecognized or forgotten. You may or may not even be aware that you made a difference in my life, but you all have:

  Michael Woods, Jorge and Kindra Vivo, Steve Dorff, Teresa McLeod, Ryan Clarkson, Jeanne LeMay, Susan Walden, Ashley and John Lewis, Kelly Wade, Susan Yeagley and Kevin Nealon, Pam and Greg Evigan, Anne and Steve Stodghill, Donna and Dan Aykroyd, Denise Martell, Megan and Peter Chernin, Betty and Bill Cacciatore, Dennis Ivans, Jane and Howard Smith, Jelinda and Barry Devorzon, Layla and Essam Khashoggi, Cheryl and Haim Saban, Carole and Bob Daly, Phyllis and Dennis Washington, Ghada and Ray Irani, Kofi, Irena and Mike Medavoy, Barbra Streisand and Jim Brolin, Tania and Eric Idle, Pam and Ed McMahon, Karen and George Rosenthal, Greta Detrick, Marty Allen, Jane and Tim Allen, Julie and Rick Dees, Alison Miller, Julie Araskog, BJ Cook, Lynn Palmer, Donna Antebi, Arianna Huffington, Brian Avnet, Alison Azer, Catherine Bach, Nancy Moonves, Edie and Skip Bronson, Marianne Rogers, Kenny Rogers, Keely and Pierce Brosnan, Linda and Jerry Bruckheimer, Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, Sharon and Christopher Cain, Shakira and Michael Caine, Jackie Collins, Gia and Anthony Carides, Andreas Carlsson, Linda and Don Ohlmeyer, Michelle and Mark Carter, Kari Clark, Suzanne and Alan Hamel, Natalie Cole, Kevin Costner, Meir and Katya Teper, Tracy and Tony Danza, Chris Earthy, Anita and Nathan East, Greg Philinganes, Nita Whitaker, Barbara and Marvin Davis, Nancy and Kenny Rickle, Suzanne DePasse, Esther and Rick Rosenfield, Eloise and John Paul DeJoria, Danielle Del, Wendy Burch, Dorothy Lucy, Pam Temmen, Celine Dion and Rene Angelil, Wenda Fong, Cheryl Wheeler, Alexandra Dwek, Margie and Jerry Perenchio, Joe Esposito, Evelyn Heyward, Marie Ferro, Corrina Fields, Bui and Herb Simon, Frances Fisher, Margo Jones Fitzgerald, Joan and Larry Flax, Dee Dee and Rob Frank, Dorothy Torresi, Larry Ellison, Gary Hudson, Robyn Moore, Mel Gibson, Laure and Danny Stern, Dean Graham, Lisa Gregorish, Mary Hart, Brenda and Lionel Richie, Brooke Shields and Chris Henchy, Bill McGee, Tina and Brad Hillstrom, Lisa and Dustin Hoffman, Cindy and Alan Horn, Joanne Horowitz, Diane Warren, Risa Shapiro, Jane Seymour, James Keach, France and Art Janov, Gail Evertz, Pat Kerr Tigrett, Jena and Michael King, Jane and Jerry Weintraub, Shawn and Larry King, Michael Klein, Leslie klinger, Lester Knispel, Anne and Arnold Kopelson, Kelly Sutherland, Lyn and Norman Lear, Avril Lavigne, Mavis and Jay Leno, Julie and Les Moonves, Sam Lovullo, Jon Lovitz, Sheryl and Rob Lowe, Shirley MacLaine, Lee Majors, Tamar and Bob Manoukian, Sandy and Wink Martindale, Richard Marx, Suzie Greene, Wanda McDaniel, Mike Meldman, Vicki and Rafi Mense, Arnon Milchan, Maureen O’Connor, Evelyn and Mo Austin, Jackie and Trevor Rahn, Barbara and Don Rickles, Caroline and Mike Cusamano, Cindy and Jerry Schilling, Martha Snider, Kathy Spanberger, Paula Kent Mehan, Shelly and Donald Sterling, Bobi Leonard, Eileena Stovall, Alan Nierob, Craig Susser, Judy Swartz, Tonya York Dees, Tammy York, Donna and Richard Chesterfield, Robin and Alfredo Trento, Tricia and George Tunic, Donna and Ronnie Tutt, Steve Tyrell, Julia Van Hees, Thereza Verboon, Ruth Vowels, Vicki Walters, Sela Ward, Patricia Waters, Hind Selah, Pat and Red West, Charlie White, Vanna White, Arda and Alex Yemenidjian, Helen and Sam Zell, Josh Trabulous, Lillian, Walter and Wendy Rodriguez, Hilda and Naylin Jarquin, Christie Renteria, Jacque Lookofsky, and too many others to fill these pages! Thank you! God bless you all!

  Photo Section

  My mama, Margie White Thompson, who taught me that a parent’s unconditional love for their child is the most important thing in the world.

  My daddy, Sanford Thompson, in his World War II army uniform.

  An early family photo with my dad, brother Sam, and mom, taken in Memphis.

  On vacation in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with my cousins and aunts shortly after meeting Elvis (L to R: cousin Lori, cousin Brenda, Aunt Betty Sue, Aunt Christine, Jeanne LeMay, cousin Janet, and me).

  I first met Elvis when I was only twenty two and had just been crowned Miss Tennessee Universe.

  (Photograph Peter C. Borsari/© Borsari Images)

  Here we are with my friend Jeanne LeMay in 1973 on tour.

  (Photograph © Jeanne LeMay)

  During our first Christmas together, Elvis bought me this beautiful floorlength muskrat coat; when I put my hands in the pockets, I found $2,500 in one and a diamond ring he had designed for me in the other.

  This photo was taken on one of our many trips to Las Vegas.

  For four and a half years I traveled almost everywhere with Elvis when he was on tour.

  (Photograph © Sean Shaver)

  Eventually, Elvis bought his own airplane, which he named the Lisa Marie after his daughter.

  (Photograph © Sean Shaver)

  On tour in 1974.

  (Photograph © Jeanne LeMay)

  A family photo with Elvis at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, wearing the Suzy Creamcheese dress that impressed Tom Jones.

  When we were taking this family photo in Las Vegas, Elvis teased my brother that he was blending in with the wallpaper.

  I created a photo book for Elvis with photos of me in Graceland’s many rooms. Here’s the kitchen where I made my famous peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

  The Jungle Room in Graceland; I’ve always thought the Marc Cohn line “There’s a pretty little thing waiting for the King and she’s down in the Jungle Room” was written for me.

  After Elvis bought the Lisa Marie, we had more spontaneous and wild fun than ever before.

  (Photographs © Sean Shaver)

  On tour with Elvis and his lifelong friend Red West.

  (Photograph Peter C. Borsari/© Borsari Images)

  For Christmas in 1973 I designed a Maltese cross for Elvis, which he’s wearing here on tour.

  (Photograph © Sean Shaver)

  Lisa Marie came on part of this tour with us, and I loved being with her.

  (Photograph © Jeanne LeMay)

  As much as I enjoyed being out on the road with El
vis, we were always our happiest at Graceland.

  (Photograph Peter C. Borsari/© Borsari Images)

  We separated only eight months before Elvis’s death. I take comfort in the knowledge that he died certain of my love and devotion.

  (Photograph © Jeanne LeMay)

  This was the very first day I met Bruce, at the Playboy Mansion for a celebrity tennis tournament in the spring of 1979.

  (Photograph Peter C. Borsari/© Borsari Images)

  With Bruce at the Hotel Bora Bora after promoting his movie with the Village People, Can’t Stop the Music.

  On our wedding day, surrounded by the love of my family.

  I couldn’t hide the joy on my face with a newborn Brandon in 1981. Brandon became the absolute sunshine in my everyday life.

  Bruce with baby Brody in 1983.

  With Brandon in our Lake Tahoe home, where we often went to snow ski, water-ski, and Jet Ski.

  Kenny Rogers and his then wife Marianne, whom I met while appearing on Hee Haw. Kenny later recorded my song “Our Perfect Song” on his 1985 album, The Heart of the Matter.

  (Photograph Peter C. Borsari/© Borsari Images)

  Everybody except Brody seemed to enjoy Disney on Ice (L to R: Brandon, Mickey Mouse, me, Brody, Donald Duck, Burt, and Bruce).

  (Photograph Peter C. Borsari/© Borsari Images)

  We took these photos for our Christmas card in 1984. The card read: “Merry Christmas, Malibu Style.”

  I took this photo of Bruce in a wet suit when we lived on Las Flores Beach, known locally as Dog Beach.