A sure sign of growing older…
By Staff
Leada Gore, Editor
It's a well-established fact around my house that I'm a crier. Just about anything – a card from a friend, a Hallmark commercial, or the opening ceremony of the Olympics – will set me off. So, it's not uncommon for Greg to walk into the living room only to find me teary eyed over one thing or another.
I guess that's why he didn't slow down much the other day when he found me with tears rolling down my face. It was only after some loud whimpers on my part, coupled with some sideways glances on his part, that he asked what was wrong.
"Donny Osmond is a grandfather," I replied.
He just stared.
"What?" he asked in amazement.
"Donny Osmond – THE Donny Osmond – has a child who is expecting a child. He's going to be a grandfather," I replied, certain that he would understand the significance of this event.
He didn't. In fact, I believe he rolled his eyes and walked away. Or maybe he acted sympathetic and then walked away. Either way, walking away was involved.
I was amazed he didn't understand the significance of this moment. I love Donny Osmond. My very first musical concert was Donny Osmond. I was seven and he was gorgeous. I loved every minute of the show, at least until I fell asleep in my mother's lap.
I was only 7 after all.
Later, I watched his television show and owned "Donny and Marie" dolls and a miniature sound stage. My Barbies all married Donny, leaving Ken in the dust.
In my eyes, Donny was it.
And now, the same teenage heartthrob I loved, is going to be a grandfather. I knew I was getting older, but there's no reason Donny has to get older, too.
In my mind, he's still 17, sitting behind the piano and wearing glittery socks.
It turns out Donny is only 48, so he's going to be a young grandfather.
"I don't see what the big deal is," Greg said later. "A lot of people who are my age have grown children."
I understand. They aren't Donny Osmond, however. I already had to deal with the fact he married someone other than me, even that he had children. But PawPaw Osmond is just too much.
It's pretty obvious what my problem is. If Donny is getting older, then I am, too. Time can't move forward for one person and stop for another. I think the late, great Lewis Grizzard said it best: "Elvis is dead and I don't feel so good myself."
In my case, it would be "Donny is getting older and I guess that means I am, too."
Next thing you know, Barbie will be retiring and moving to Miami.