TV Radio Mirror (Jan - Jun 1963)

THE LENNON SISTERS (Continued from page 50) "I'm so glad ... so thrilled for DeeDee and Dick," Peggy said. "They've been so anxious to have a baby. They want a big family, as everybody knows. I guess they simply didn't want to wait any longer for one of their own, so this is the perfect solution." "It's the most wonderful news, really . . . they're both so ideally suited to be parents," Kathy agreed. "The child who comes into their home will have great parents. They're both so warm and kind and full of fun. A child just has to be happy in their home." Janet, for once, was almost too excited to speak. When at last she found her voice, it was to say, in all seriousness, "I wouldn't mind adopting one, too. ... It must be a fabulous experience." "Okay, fabulous," Peggy teased her. "Just don't get ahead of yourself. It's not so long since you were being cradled." "Maybe you're forgetting I'm now sixteen!' "Yes, Peggy, how could you forget that?" Kathy laughed. "You just go right ahead, Janet honey, and adopt a few . . ." "Oh, hush up," said Janet. "All I'm trying to say is I just love the idea of DeeDee and Dick with a baby. I mean, they used to come over and help with all our kids. Now we'll be going over there to help with their baby . . ." "I know," Kathy suddenly grew serious, too, "and it will have a meaning for all of us. The first niece or nephew is always important to an aunt. Speaking for myself, I'm sure that when I see DeeDee with her baby in her arms, I'll want more than ever to get married and raise a family, too." Peggy thought it over dreamily. "DeeDee and Dick have been so happy in their little home. Now they'll be even happier. Their greatest wish will be coming true. And you know, Kathy, when your turn comes, we all pray that you will be equally happy." 'I hope and pray the same for you, Peggy.'' A wistful dream This is not the first time Peggy, Kathy and even the still-tender-aged Janet have spoken of their desire to emulate their big sister. Each has mused rather wistfully over the time when she would settle down to marriage and homemaking. "After all, isn't that the best vocation for a woman . . . unless you have a call to the Sisterhood," Peggy reasoned. "But down deep, I have a strange feeling this baby is going to change all our lives, not just those of DeeDee and Dick. And I don't mean that we'll be baby-sitters again." "I think I get what you mean," Janet put in. "You think the baby's going to T make us feel older, more mature . . ." v "Well, that partly, sure," Peggy R continued. "But what I actually had in mind was that we're going to feel more impatient than ever to follow 84 DeeDee's path. Of course, it's probably not in the cards for us to marry our high-school sweethearts as she did, but just seeing how excited DeeDee and Dick are about the adoption has made me realize that I, too, would rather be a wife and mother than a professional singer." Her sisters nodded solemnly. They had come to this viewpoint long ago. To entertain others is something they respect and enjoy. But they do not see it as a lifetime career. They love their fans, love being loved by them. Yet they have never been, nor are they likely to become, dedicated performers. Like DeeDee, they are domestic creatures. Washing dishes, cooking, sewing, caring for their younger brothers and sisters — these are the things that hold the loftiest significance for the Lennon girls. Their household chores, under the efficient eyes of Sis, are considered as training for ihe duties they wait eagerly to assume in their own homes, for their own families. Long ago, too, they made the decision to forego college. Partly it was necessary because of their travels with the Welk band and on personal appearance tours. TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR CHRISTMAS MAIL SERVICE WRAP PACKAGES SECURELY ADDRESS LEGIBLY— INCLUDE POSTAL ZONE NUMBER AND YOUR RETURN ADDRESS SHOP AND MAIL EARLY To Out-of-Town Points, by DECEMBER 10TH For Local Delivery, by DECEMBER 15TH Still, as Kathy once pointed out, "If W2 had wanted a college education, we'd have found a way through correspondence courses while on the road." If they didn't care to go on to college themselves, they did see the importance of sending their younger brothers to schools of higher learning. "Billy, Danny, Patrick, Joey and Chris will be men some day, with wives and children to support. For them, an education is almost a necessity," they explained. So, with their sights set long before on marriage, family life and the home, the news of the adoption has only heightened their desire to leave show business and get on with the serious business of living a fulfilled and creative private life. While "Baby" will bring much pleasure to his lovely aunts and chortling uncles, it is clear that they in turn will bring much to him — or her, as the case may be. Janet, by the way, has already been betting anyone who'll listen that it will be a girl. In fact, she has already hinted broadly to DeeDee and Dick that she "wouldn't mind one bit" if the baby bore her name. "I guess there isn't a bigger compliment than to have a child named after you — or for you to be named its godmother," she said. "Hint, hint, hint," Kathy laughed. "Don't forget you're third in line around here ..." Baby-sitters, Inc. There can be no doubt that any of the girls would make an excellent godmother. They have been brought up to face responsibilities and do what is expected of them. When Bill was stricken with a heart attack, Sis joined him in Toledo and remained at his side for several weeks, until he was well enough to travel back to their home in Venice, California. Sis had no fears for her little ones. She knew her girls would take over in her absence, and they did. They not only ran the household smoothly, but filled in as parents. Not once was their authority questioned by the smaller children. This happened before DeeDee's marriage. Naturally, she acted as temporary head of the family then. Baby Chris, still bottle-fed, was her particular charge, while the other sisters joined forces in caring for Mimi, Annie, Joey, Danny, Pat and Billy. Danny, ten at the time, showed that he was not a Lennon for nothing. He assisted his older sisters as "man of the house" and saw that the boys showered and were in bed at the right hour. Sundays, just as when their parents were home, the entire family went to church. Obviously, a family so well-taught and harmonious would not take lightly their obligations as godparents. Whoever is chosen for this honor by DeeDee, if it is a Lennon, will automatically and enthusiastically accept the obligation to see that the child receives the proper instruction and training in the Catholic faith, should anything happen to Dick and DeeDee. Thus, before the wheels of the adoption system began moving, the child who is destined to enter the home of DeeDee and Dick Gass is already guaranteed a basic lift toward the good and happy life. It will be surrounded by love, given every chance to express individuality, but also it will be encouraged to sink deep roots in the healthy, vital soil of personal obligation to God, the church, the nation as a whole regardless of race, color or creed, and to the family as the essential unit for growth and security. This is the Lennon tradition. The parents of this lucky child will be lucky, too. They'll never have to search for a baby-sitter. In fact, they'll have to arrange that "honor" by turns. As the new, excited aunts have intimated, the current of their lives may be somewhat reversed. Instead of the flow of family always to the Lennon home, there will now be an eager flow of Lennons to the Gass home to share in DeeDee's and Dick's bundle of joy. — Kathleen Post "The Lawrence Welk Show" is seen on ABC-TV. Sat., from 9 to 10 P.M. EST.