Did Hollywood Destroy the Cyrus Family?

It appears that is what Billy Ray Cyrus is claiming, if he was quoted accurately by the New York Post. That Satan and Miley's "handlers" have led her into temptation, and he has taken a bad rap for her problems. Maybe.

On the other hand, can't anyone with an ounce of sense look at former child stars and see what percentage of them go bad, and figure out what the odds of a child star going bad are before signing one's own child up as a Hollywood star? You may notice that I live in Southern California. You may also notice that my kids are adorable and have a lot of personality. You may also notice that none of my kids work in Hollywood. Maybe on purpose?

One Fox commenator, formerlylib, has this to say, which I agree with:
Billy Ray is the parent. He let this happen. Sorry, Billy: You can't blame "handlers". The money and the boost to your "going nowhere" career were too much to resist.

Who did not see this coming? Rarely do child stars have a good experience growing up. Most of them are used and exploited! Then when they are no longer "cute", they are devastated and do just about anything to keep their career going and any money flowing in. Or they fall into addictions to relieve the pain. I see a very painful life for Miley - along the lines of Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears. Of the recent stars, Christina Aguilera seems to have fared the best. She is divorcing, but there's been no hint of a wild life on her part.

Annette Funicello seemed to fare okay - as the most adored Mouseketer growing up. But her parents were dogged in shielding her from the perils of fame. They really kept her down to earth. They were there and did not turn her over to "handlers". Very few are able to achieve what her parents did!

The Divorce Process

As you may be aware, I am winding my way through the divorce process. Though my attorney does not want me discussing details, it remains a part of my life at this time. My father gave me a Johnny Mandel songbook years ago, with this particular song in it, in an attempt to help me sort through my feelings. It is a lovely song. So I dedicate this to all who have gone through a difficult break-up. Divorce is painful, no matter what the reason.

Swimming toward the light

You know how you have certain knick knacks around the house that remind you of the past? I have a certain framed picture in the laundry room next the the garage that has great significance for me. I reminds me of a time so very far away.

Once upon a time there was a woman who married a man and they did not get along. At all. In fact, things were so bad for the woman that she found herself shaking in fear whenever her husband was due to come home from work. She even forgot how to smile. Her friends and family refused to talk to her until she got out of her marriage because they did not want to hear any more about her suffering.

One day this woman was going for a walk around her neighborhood. She passed a garage sale and saw some framed artwork sitting on the pavement. She saw a certain piece that made her eyes grow wide. Recipe for a Happy Kitchen. This was a piece all about love and loyalty and happiness. It was a strain of music from so very far away, it almost sounded alien to her. Happy Kitchen. Happy home. Hmmm. Is it possible? Is it possible to ever live like that again? Am I worthy of a life like that? She went home and got the $2 they were asking for the picture and put it into her van under the seat. She was not going to soil the picture by taking it into her house. She would hang it in her new apartment as soon as she found a place for herself. It was her secret.

One day when her husband left for work the movers arrived and helped the woman move all her things and her children's things into her new apartment. She hung up the picture. She now lives in a new home with a husband and more children and continues to gaze at the picture from time to time. Yes, many of the statements now apply to her home. While no family dynamic is perfect, her present family is a good place to raise children. And a good place to live.