When I think of the Osmond family, I always think of smiles. In fact, in the ’70s during the height of their popularity, people often made fun of them for their wholesome smiles.
We learned a while back that those smiles were often used to hide sorrow. In fact, Marie Osmond named her 2001 book about postpartum depression “Behind the Smile.”
Unfortunately, those smiles dimmed again this week as Marie’s 18 year old son, Michael Blosil, committed suicide Friday when he jumped from his eighth floor apartment. TMZ is reporting that Michael, a student at the The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, left a note for his family, saying he was unhappy.
Marie issued a statement saying, “My family and I are devastated and in deep shock by the tragic loss of our dear Michael and ask that everyone respect our privacy during this difficult time.” Her brother Donny asked fans to “please pray for my sister and her family.”
Once again, another country has been devastated by an earthquake. Chile was rocked with an 8.8 magnitude earthquake yesterday, one of the largest in recorded history. All the Chilean Olympians in Vancouver were sent home with the lone exception of skier Noelle Barahona. Barahona couldn’t get a flight home with the rest of her delegation. After talking to her family and friends, she decided to stay around and will be the only one representing Chile in the closing ceremonies.
Celebrities are already starting to turn their support to Chile. Justin Bieber tweeted “Just saw on the news about the earthquake in chile and the possible tsunamis. My prayers go out to those people and their families affected.” “American Idol” alums Adam Lambert and Kris Allen both sent light, love, heart, and prayers to the people of Chile. Yet another “American Idol” alum, Elliott Yamin, was actually in Chile when the earthquake occurred and recounted the situation through his Twitter account. Ashton Kutcher posted the survivor link for people searching for survivors on his Twitter account.
No doubt as time goes on, more and more celebrities will support the Chilean relief efforts.
(This image is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code.)
