My Favourite Donny Osmond Memory -Sadness to Happiness

Well where should I start, there are so many memories starting with my first Osmond concerts in the 70's to my first meeting with Donny in the 70's, to my memorabilia collection which numbers 3000+, then theres Donny's concerts in 2003 and onwards, to the scramble for tickets, and studio audience places, the meetings with Donny since the 70's and so much more- including one intersting occasion including me, Donny the temple and a urinal, but now is not the time for that one lol.

However the memories that have meant the most to me are the ones that took place in 2003 and 2004.

For me it actually started in 2002 when it was announced that Donny was performing concerts in the UK for the first time in 30 yrs, and tickets were promptly bought for 6 concerts, and as you can imagine there was great excitement, it was what most of us were thinking about lol

The concerts were to begin in Mar 03, however, in Feb 03 my dad died suddenly, and as you can imagine this had a great impact on me and my family, I found myself looking after my mum, my 5 children who had adored their gramps, and my younger brother, who had many problems of his own and was very dependant on mum due to his mental health problems, and due to dads death he was fixating on mum dying. Now anyone who knows me would never expect to hear me say that I wouldn't have been bothered if I'd made my first concert or not-why - because it was in Sheffield and that was where my dad was born and where I lived as a child. So much had happened so quickly, so much had to be done, I seemed to be responsible for so many others at this time that I didn't have time for my own feelings. I did however, thankfully, go to the concerts.

Before I fill you on the importance of the concerts, I will tell you what happened later.

11 mths after my dad died, my youngest brother died in the Jan 04. This like dad was sudden, added to this mum was in hospital with pneumonia- I had to tell her whilst she was there, and to make it harder still 3 of my children found their uncle Gary dead, and this in itself led to greater trauma--it was a week before they slept in their own rooms again, they spent a week in my room with the tv and light on most of the night

This like dad was just prior to Donny in concert, and left me looking after mum, the children my sister in law and my nephews and niece. Again I took charge, so again my feelings took second place, and I realised that this time I was suppressing my feelings, if excitement about the concerts starting rising, I was deliberately closing them down.

Back to the concerts in 2003-When I went to the concert in Sheffield I was not really feeling anything, certainly not the excitement I had been experiencing, but once Donny was on stage I found my spirits rising, I found myself enjoying myself, when the interval came everything was flat again-thats the way I've always explained it-feeling flat. When the 2nd half started again I was able to involve myself in it again and through the rest of the concerts gained the break and the spirit lifting that I needed, the concerts gave me what I needed at the time

At the end of 2003 there was the excitement of more concerts in 2004, and duly 5 tickets were bought, including one concert for my mum, to come to the Chatsworth House concert, this was very poignant for us because we had visited the house regularly as a family.

It was Jan 04 when my brother died, and as explained the sadness and feeling suppression started again and I realised I was suppressing the excitement myself, but we did go to the concerts and again they worked their magic, I was able to enjoy them and this time round the song Immortality became really important to me, that one song really started the feelings to come back, watching Donny's vitality, listening to him sing, was again what I needed at that time.

Mum came to her concert and enjoyed it, but it had been a long walk from the carpark to the stage and then back again, and mum had found it difficult and 2 days later at our house she had the first of 3 heart attacks. This meant that between July and Oct she was in hospital.

By now I had begun to realise that Donny's visit seemed to mean the loss of a family member, and in the October of 2004 I was actually able to tell him that, and he bless him said 'I'd better stop visiting the UK then' but I told him that since my family had died I had the concerts to help me. I told him how it had been and how his concerts and  his music had helped restore my ability to feel. He shared some of his experience with his mum dying, and we were able to laugh and enjoy our conversation. It was special to me the way he took the time to listen and to share his own experiences. We talked for quite some time and I was left feeling uplifted again.

The double memory on this occasion was a few weeks later. I had ordered a tour book from donny.com and when it arrived there wasa message on the box, it said --'Hi Kim ! I just talked with you today and then saw this box as I was packing it :-) Donny

This was another neccessary boost, as mentioned mum was in hospital, we were travelling 50 miles a night to visit her, we were looking after her house and her cats and dogs, it was very difficult with work and family obligations, but she needed us. Donny's conversation, Donny's message, Donny's music were such a boost. Obviously there was more support than just Donny, but Donny was the outside support, removed from what had happened and gave me some of what I needed at the time. Sadly in the Dec of 2004 mum suffered a fatal heart attack, which meant in the space of 22 mths I had lost my dad, brother and mother.

Through this time Donny and my lives were very much intertwined, and through this time it inspired me to write 2 poems. When dad died I wrote mum a note, telling her to let the teardrops fall, but not to forget the happy times, because eventually again she would smile and she did. This I later re-wrote as a poem- Let the Teardrops Fall- when Donny's wife's mum died,I posted this for them and when Donny's mum was dying I wrote a poem called The Love of a Mother, I posted this for the US mothers day- and sadly Donny's mum died the same day. I then used this poen the same Dec to read out at mums funeral, because the sentiments were written on behalf of my mum too.

I had support from so many wonderful people at this time, but Donny and all that he is to me was the beginning of being able to 'feel' again and I thank him so much for this. The memories he has given me over the years are priceless and this one is the most personal to me.

If you wish to read them here are the poems written by me on behalf of both our families --

The Love of A Mother

The love of a mother can never be tallied
countless the times she supported and rallied
right to your side giving love and support
always for you a kindly report

The love of a mother can never be counted
not enough awards can ever be mounted
most deeds passing by in everyday life
but greatly reducing the stress and the strife

The love of a mother comes with wisdom and light
teaching you always to do what is right
helping you learn right from wrong
a helping hand to make you strong

The love of a mother too many not noted
but by much loved children often quoted
a look, a touch, a thought, a smile
helping you on in that extra mile

The love of a mother is ever eternal
wonderful, touching something supernal
does it leave us, of course it does not
forever abiding, the heart is the spot

The love of a mother our greatest prize
always shining from loving eyes
never lost always remaining
that love we have shared ever sustaining

The love of a mother is life everlasting
through the rest of our lives always refreshing
the thoughts and the memories of one loved so much
the love of a mother, a loving touch

Let the Teardrops Fall

Let the teardrops fall, but let the smile come through
The person that you loved, loved you too
So much to remember, memories to treasure
So many joys, joys beyond measure
All is not gone, all is not ended
Happiness will come when your heart is mended
The little things you shared together
Will soon again bring you pleasure
As you remember with love in your heart
It will be as if you're not apart
Thats the beauty and thats the wonder
That even death can't put assunder
So
Let the teardrops fall, but let the smile come through
The person that you loved, loved you too

Kim

 A final poem inspired by the circumstances is  ' listening ears--- a poem I wrote about Donny and fellow donny.com members, who were so supportive through this time

Listening Ears

Oh what would I give at a time like this,

for someone, somehow, to take the tears

and replace them with a happier heart, thats

removed from all the heartache and fears

someone to shout at, someone to tell, of all

the lost moments, for all the lost years

that I now face without loved ones held close

what will I do with a heart that just sears

because those that I've loved , are taken from me

            Oh what would I give for some listening ears

            someone to share with to banish the tears

            someone to talk to, someone who cares

            somehow I know these people are there, waiting

            to reach out, waiting to listen, sending

            out flowers, comingto stay, offering love

            and just taking the time, these friends of mine

            Oh what would I give for some listening ears

           I've already got them, friends ended the tears