I found this picture a couple days ago as I was going through old photos and scanning them to put on my computer. I like to think that there are no accidents! 😉 As I thought about what the photo was telling me, it seemed to define this whole past week. In the photo I'm watching my oldest brother Tom brush my youngest brother Jimmy’s teeth. That’s the way it was in my family, watching, teaching and learning. It’s probably that way in most big families—the older ones watching out for the younger ones. Jimmy probably didn't ask for help, but Tom was there regardless (even though he probably wasn't thrilled to do it). And me watching the torture... that’s another story. 😂 The point is... the oldest helped the youngest.
So when I humbly 😉asked my big brothers Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay to give me a very special birthday present last Monday, I was so excited they said YES! Even Donny surprised me when he showed up at The Talk for my birthday. I haven’t had time to thank everyone publicly until now for all the effort in having everyone come together as the four original Osmond Brothers got together to sing for my birthday one last time. And I wanted it to be my gift, to all of you too, for the way you have followed them through the years. I love you all! The hundred million records they've sold over the years are because of all of you; and each one of you are truly loved and appreciated. The song they sang on The Talk is called “The Last Chapter,” Alan wrote it and it's such a special song. They sang it as a thank you to all of you for a wonderful career and many great memories and it could not have been more touching. I have said many times that without the original Osmond Brothers (our older siblings), there would not been a Donny, Marie or even Jimmy. We younger kids owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. But I must even go back a step further and say without Virl and Tom, the two oldest Osmond brothers, who were born hearing impaired… there never would have been the four original Osmond Brothers. You see, they started singing to help buy Virl and Tom hearing aids. I couldn’t love ALL my brothers any more. They taught me (probably even when they didn’t want to) they critiqued me (even when I didn’t want them to 🤣) and we all kept learning, helping and loving together.
The entire experience filled me with incredible gratitude from my family to my new “sisters” Sharon, Sheryl, Carrie Ann & Eve at The Talk to the CBS executives and staff (especially John Redman for bringing the idea up in the first place!). And to all of you who have been with us from the beginning, like the song says “We Love You!” By the way the story my brother told for my birthday show about my first job was true... I answered all the Osmond Brothers fan mail with my Mom! My Mother especially loved keeping in contact with all of you and I still share her appreciation. Then to the two people who started everything Osmond, my amazing parents! They set the best example for us and like the photo shows... they NEVER thought they were too old to learn something. They kept learning and loving unconditionally until the end. I have a great family and now my own family, my amazing husband and beautiful children and grandchildren are extensions of the lessons learned and taught by my parents and Steve's parents, and those who came before. Families help us learn how much our Father in Heaven truly loves all of us, and my deepest gratitude goes to God for sustaining me through the ups and downs of this existence—call it hope, call it faith, call it positive attitude, call it whatever you will—but for me I call upon my Father in Heaven who sent His son Jesus Christ to help and guide us through all things. And if we are humble enough to continue to learn from His teachings and example we can be made clean, wise and full of His love by serving others. It all goes back to finding this photo last week after my birthday celebration. Life is all about accepting help like the youngest child and living life like the oldest one. Of course giving help is the most essential to our growth and there are those more challenging moments, when serving others may be painful for the one receiving. But remember that when you serve others you are serving God—in other words, you are a conduit for His love. How empowering is that? So try reaching out. Feel the power that your words can have for others. And feel the power that comes from saying, “help me, I don’t understand," because it has the opportunity to lead to new understanding.
And please don’t forget to floss. Get the floss sticks... they’re so easy, even I can do it. 😂 Again, thank you all for everything, it was an incredible birthday.
P.S. To clarify, when I said on The Talk that my brothers are retiring, it was as a group. I know Merrill will be doing some shows and Jay is working on some projects. Like our parents taught us, we just keep keepin’ on! 😂👍