Gorgeous. Beautiful voices, beautiful children, beautiful family. How proud their mother must be, and what a testament they are to her own fine parenting!
We want our talented children to grow into their gifts and blossom and flourish. But then we see how difficult it is to maintain equilibrium when the world is throwing glories at your feet and demanding that you do for them, be for them. We can look at Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe and even -latterly- Susan Boyle, to see what the demands and pressures that come with the adulation can do to the mind and the soul.
There is a story about the newly-widowed Jacqueline Kennedy, writing to a friend (I am paraphrasing), “the world is throwing terrifying privilege to my children…” she understood how “too much, too fast, too unbalanced” could wreck a human being.
I hope these kids do well; they’re wonderful. And I pray that they cling to that good mother when the world begins to offer them too much, too fast.
H/T Deacon Greg, who has a way of finding these things.
June 26th, 2009 | 8:35 am | #1
Sometimes I think the gift of a highly marketable talent is an exceptionally heavy cross. The temptations to sin and vainglory are continuous and the corrections rare and tepid. Only a rare few seem to come out O.K.
June 26th, 2009 | 8:46 am | #2
I should say the corrections to a celebrity are either tepid or life threatening. Either the talent is given faint criticism by servile yes men or they are standing in front of a judge explaining why they were drunk/stoned or waking up in a hospital after a near OD (if they’re lucky).
June 26th, 2009 | 8:52 am | #3
Another reason to praise men like Jimmy Stewart or more recently Paul Newman. They were at the top but did not become arrogant or leave their wives. Maybe their example is not as fine as that of St Louis, but it impresses me whenever anyone can back away from the spotlight gracefully.
June 26th, 2009 | 9:19 am | #4
These three young people make me proud to be a citizen of the same country as they are! Their mother has done a remarkable job of raising them and they are a living tribute to her love and devotion. God bless all 4 of them and keep them safe and well and free from the temptations of the world should their talents lead to fame and the dangers it poses to the unwary.
June 26th, 2009 | 10:07 am | #5
[...] is posted at “First Things” and I found it thanks to [...]
June 26th, 2009 | 10:16 am | #6
Positive celebrity story praising Stevie Wonder:
June 26th, 2009 | 1:27 pm | #7
wow—great singers. but under obamacare, there’d be no mom
June 27th, 2009 | 9:05 am | #8
Was so stuck by Sharon Ozborne seemlying overwhelmed tears in response to this family. Can’t help buy wonder if she is regretfull of how her kids were raised and wondering what might have been for her own family.
June 27th, 2009 | 11:43 am | #9
I am completely overcome by this video. Such a complete inspiration…
June 27th, 2009 | 1:31 pm | #10
[...] to the The Anchoress. Need a feel good story? I think this family will fit the bill. Reminiscent of Susan Boyle, this [...]
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