Family Sees Image Of Michael Jackson In Tree Stump

CBS13.com ^ | Jul 5, 2009 | staff reporter

[Daffynition]

A Stockton family says the image of Michael Jackson appeared on his tree stump the day the King of Pop died.

Like the "Virgin Grilled Mary" or "Cheesus," the family thinks they've got an unusual spiritual image staring right at them from their own front yard. Felix Garcia has lived in the house for 22 years, and has never noticed the apparent image in his birch tree stump.

"I was standing by that bush, and I looked up and saw that image here," Felix said.

Many people in the crowd who gathered to look at the stump Sunday afternoon saw the resemblance, but why would Michael Jackson appear instead of a religious figure -- or even any of the other celebrities who recently passed away?

"Because Michael Jackson was an icon to us," said one neighbor. "To Stockton, Michael Jackson meant more to us than Jesus, to some people. I think they're both about even."

Jackson did visit the city 20 years ago, following the Cleveland School fatal shootings.

From afar, it looks like any other tree. From up close, it looks like any other stump. Not all neighbors are convinced -- some say it looks more like the Scarecrow, and some say it looks like Jesus.

The family says they don't expect their tree to become a shrine to Jackson, but they do hope that nobody tries to cut it down.

[raybbr]

My question is: Why didn’t they see this before?

[Ditter]

Do you see anything in that stump?

[raybbr]

Do you see anything in that stump?

Nope! It's a chance to cash in on MJ's circus. This is nuts.

[pfflier]

Wow, what a coincidence! Yesterday I was cleaning up the back yard and where the dog had been, I could have sworn I saw several images of michael jackson.

[Ditter]

Yep, I agree, they will start charging people to come and look at their stump. Guess what? I ain’t going.

[KarlInOhio]

"Because Michael Jackson was an icon to us," said one neighbor. "To Stockton, Michael Jackson meant more to us than Jesus, to some people. I think they're both about even."

Santo Subito! < /sarcasmus maximus>

[raybbr]

Guess what? I ain’t going.

LOL! Spoilsport.

[Liberty Valance]

*sha-mone*

[ConservativeMan55]

LOL!

[AUH2O Repub]

Guess we can add Jacksonism to the Presleyism and MLKism religions that we will see in the next 50 years. Can’t wait to see what the alter boy duties will be in THAT church.

[RepublitarianRoger2]

Um, which end of Michael Jackson is that stump supposed to represent?

[ConservaTexan]

That stump is way to dark to represent MJ. They should look for his image in a bag of powdered donuts.

[Disambiguator]

“If you cut it down, they will come.”

[TSgt]

My wife and I were curious how people have the time to show up for days to mourn MJ. It then dawned on us that they were all most likely on some kind of government assistance and we were subsidizing their adventure.

[TornadoAlley3]

Is that supposed to be Michael Jackson's sphincter?

[martin_fierro]

[Costumed Vigilante]

[maggief]

[Vendome]

These people are as dumb as a stump.

I’ll bet I am one of at least 4 other posters to say the same thing.

Let’s see.

[Vendome]

Is it a Creature Feature?