4-24-06
This has been a crazy week!
The cruise with Jason and Eric went well. I had my usual 200 ice cream cones. Ha! Especially fun was watching them para-sail together. The driver of our boat thought it would be funny to drag the boys through the water a bit, and then let them go. The boys were laughing out of control. That night, I had to take a sleeping pill. Apparently, I was talking in my sleep, and wasn’t that coherent. The boys caught on, and were harassing me for a long time…saying things like there were bugs in the bed, and that I was falling off the bed and over the balcony. They also said that I had an accident (if you know what I mean?). That was a crazy night!
The last day of the cruise was extremely stressful. I told Eric that he had 1/2 hour to say goodbye to his friends on the ship, and that he had to be back in the cabin at 12:00 AM, which is the curfew. Well, about 2:45 AM, we had the ships’ security, Wayne, Jimmy, Jason, Steve, Aaron, and myself looking for him. I finally saw him strolling down the hall (knowing that he was in trouble). I had three emotions. The first was, relief. I was so glad to know he was ok. The second was, anger. I was so mad that he disobeyed. The third was, disappointment. I have had a few bouts with him about disrespect, but this was the last straw. I had to go down to Jimmy’s room and talk so I could cool down. By the time I got back to my cabin, he was asleep. The next morning we had a good father/son talk, however, there are going to be penalties. I’ll talk about them next week.
Later, I was informed by Donny, that my father had fallen down again. He was on a walker, but that was not stable enough. I have always worried that having a cane, a panic button, or even a walker, wasn’t sufficient. Don’t worry though, he’s ok! We are going to get a good evaluation on him this week.
Until then, may the force be with you!
Jay
4-16-06
I would love to wish everyone a Happy Easter. I hope you are all doing well. It’s also Jimmy’s birthday, and we are going to have a party for him tonight. Right now I am in Galveston, Texas, on the cruise ship Rhapsody, sitting on the balcony.
I feel much better this week, last week I was a little overwhelmed with a lot of different things. But, with a lot of prayer and positive thinking, I pulled through and I am feeling really good. Two of my boys are with me, Jason and Eric. They are real characters, but a lot of fun. We all miss Kandilyn, Marcus, Isaac the cat, and Ice Man the bird.
I’ve been thinking about, especially on this day, the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how it brings joy and peace in our lives. I heard a saying that goes – “The gospel is a great way of living, and a safe way of dying.”
Actually, the gospel is the lifestyle of peace – a way of thinking, a way of being, and a way of doing. I hope we can all remember how blessed we are. Most importantly, to remember that we have all been saved because of the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Thank you to those who are reading my journal, I hope it is interesting for you. I appreciate the comments you are leaving, and look forward to continuing to share my thoughts with you.
Have a great Easter!
Love,
Jay
4-10-06
It is the 10th of April. It seems time goes by so fast!
This has been a crazy week! Kandilyn left for a few days to see family and relatives, so the boys and I decided to have some good ol’ crazy fun. We also included my father in our activities (he is just like a kid). We had a great time, buying BB guns, looking at cars, eating out, and hanging (or chillin as the boys say) at the house. I think we are all burned out!
Kandilyn came home early, and got upset…she thought a tornado hit the house. Ha! Anyway, I felt bad, and started cleaning. I’m really good at doing my chores when she is home, but when she leaves for a few days, it seems I lose energy. We are back to normal now (whatever normal means?). The kids seem to be happy when there is an order to things, and some structure. I was raised differently. I had order, but my lifestyle was sporatic. I was on the road so much of my life, and my schooling was mostly home study and tutors. This has caused some friction at times. My way of dealing with the everyday-ordinary things of life differs somewhat from that of Kandilyn’s, however, we seem to work things out, and try to maintain some sort of stability.
I am concerned with my inability to handle stress lately. I get a lot of headaches, and I carry tension in my neck. My posture isn’t great either. I look for diversions like documentaries, food, and piano playing to help me deal with pressures. It used to be drums, football and karate that got me through the strain of things. It seems that I can’t get things done. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older and want to enjoy life more, but there are calls, errands, appointments, honey-do’s, etc. that seem to be harder to do than before. I guess that’s life. We all go through it. We have to take the good with the bad.
I once read that “If there is no solution, there is no problem.” A general authority of our church once told me, “For every worry under the sun, there is a solution or there’s none. Now, if there is one, hurry up and find it. But, if there isn’t one, never mind it! (Le Grand Richards)
A good psychologist told me, “Worry is nothing more than negatively anticipating something bad to happen.” It’s true…worry doesn’t help anyone. I heard a motivational tape on ruminating, and it said…If there is a problem or challenge, we first have to: A- Acknowlege the fear or concern, then C- choose if we want to ruminate and cry over spilt milk. Or do something about it. If the second is our choice, then we T- Take action and go after it! This little formula is called A.C.T., and I like it a lot.
Well, until next week, remember what Mother used to say: “This too shall pass!”
~ Jay
4-3-06
3-26-06
Hello Friends,
I’m in Deerfield, Florida at the Hilton Hotel. I just finished a pizza and watched a silly movie with my brothers Jimmy and Wayne. We are really ready to get back home to our families. This tour that we’re on right now is very different from the one in the U.K. These are private shows for older people in communities that are more like elite clubs. Anyway, our show had to be tamed down for sure! Some of these people really seem sad. I don’t quite know how to say it, but you can tell the ones that are struggling, and those who are enjoying themselves. I don’t mean about our show, I mean about the stage of life they are in.
My father told me there are different stages of life that we all go through. He said that he is in the “refinement stage,” (some people call it the retirement stage). He points out that many people feel as though they’re “put out to pasture.” He warned me that once this feeling sets in, a person begins to fall apart, loses purpose, and quickly dies inside. I believe it! There is a big difference in a person who glows with understanding, and someone who is in the dark. The scriptures refer to this as “light” or “intelligence.” Those who know my father can truly say that he glows! This is because, I believe, he knows why he is on the earth. Again, it’s clearly understanding first, that everyone is a child of God. We all have those traits and qualities that motivate us to want to be better than we are now (see Psalms 82). The next thing to remember is that we are here for a reason (see Abraham 3 in the Pearl of Great Price). When we have a strong sense of identity and purpose, we have strength and power to deal with life’s challenges. As we go through the particular stages of life, we develop, grow, and overcome. Our goal is to be like our Savior Jesus Christ (see Ephesians 4).
As I mentioned, my father is in what he calls the “refinement stage.” He looks at this as a great opportunity and a time to make all the wrongs – right; to share with his posterity and friends, his wisdom, life experiences, and mistakes. I had lunch with my father about a week ago. I reminded him of the situation a few years ago, where he and I were walking together, and he stopped and said, “Jay, I hope I’ve been a good example to you, but more importantly, I hope that you can look at the things I’ve done wrong, and learn from them.” Now that is humility! I strongly believe that humility is the key to spirituality.
Well, I just had a good chat with my family back home. It was so nice to hear their voices. We have to leave tomorrow for a three hour drive towards Orlando, so I better get some sleep!
Jay
3-19-06
Dear friends:
I just got home from the U.K., and wanted to write and thank everyone who came to the concerts. I also want to thank all of those who wrote letters, wanting to come, but couldn’t because of various reasons.
It was like a big “high school” reunion! The friendships made over the years and the memories shared by so many people, was overwhelming. The Osmonds are just a part of the experience. This was not just about us, it was about “YOU.” Many times during this past month, the brothers and I talked about stories from the past, and read notes from several people, that made us both laugh and cry. This was an intense tour! It was also fun! But a little sad in way, because this may have been the last time the five of us perform together. Who knows? The main thing I loved about the tour is, that so many people were involved. The love felt was amazing! I’m glad they shot it on camera, but I hope the magic and the spirit that we all witnessed will come through on the DVD. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I appreciated those moments, and they will be forever printed on my mind.
P.S. This is the first entry of my weekly journal, which will be posted on my site every week by my good friend, and assistant Terri Shoemaker. I want to do this, so I can keep you posted on activities and upcoming events. But more importantly, I want to do this for me, and for those who are interested in the thoughts and feelings about my life as they unfold.
Sincerely, Jay Osmond
12/30/05
Hello my sweet friends out there! I would like to share with you an experience I had in England a few months ago…
It was a beautiful day in September. I was looking out the window, which had been opened slightly. The breeze was warm, the sun was shining through the clouds, and the swan in the lake across the road were swimming. I thought to myself, this is what heaven must be like. I felt a longing to have my family with me. Oh, how I missed them. I wanted them to see this so beautiful sight. I wished I could hold each of them in my arms for just a moment. I was so thankful that I could be at my brother Jimmy’s house with his sweet family, it took a lot of the sting away from missing my little family. Just then, a wonderful feeling came over me, like I have never felt before. It was as though someone was present in the room with me. Someone very familiar to me. It was almost as if time went backwards for a moment, and then forward. It is difficult to describe this, but I heard my mother’s voice say to me, “Jay, now you know how I feel – I love you son.”
I know it’s hard to believe, but this really happened to me. Those who know me, know that I’m not a spiritualist, or even like to talk about strange things. But, this was a wonderful blessing that got me through many lonely times while I was there in England.
I’m now home again with my little family. There is nothing like little arms (even though they’re big) around your neck. A feeling I know my mother is waiting for. I also know she is not up there taking it easy eating grapes. She is bringing glad tidings to many souls up there, and working hard to teach people the Gospel! She was, and is, an inspiration to me. I have so much to thank her for, including my testimony of this wonderful Gospel of Jesus Christ!
I know many of you out there knew her. Those of you who did, were surely blessed to be in her presence. She loved you, and still does! She spent countless hours writing and talking with many of you about your lives and how you fit into God’s great plan. For those who never had the chance to meet her, just know that she loves you just as much! She is a tremendous representative of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! May you all feel her love in your hearts this coming year!
Sincerely, Jay
Hello world!
Welcome to Jay Osmond’s weekly blog…
his sharing of inner-thoughts, beliefs, feelings and hope.
