I’m still not sure about some of the people who “helped” me. I don’t think they really trusted me because I had so many kids, and my focus was almost always on them. It was a challenge because I needed work to take care of them, but I wasn’t supposed to focus on them at work. I think the people who hired me could see that it was in their interest, or at least they had nothing to lose, taking the risk to give me a shot. I hope I didn’t disappoint anybody…except the people who were only keeping me around cause I was cute. But even those gave me opportunities to learn, and their help was valuable. But I have news for Governor Palin, there’s no need to “barge through” an open door. I still want it on my tombstone…”In 1979, she worked her way off welfare in nine months as a free-lance writer and actress…backwards…and in high heels.”

WHAT I HAVE TODAY TO SAY IS ATTA WAY LADIES- ATTA WAY. THEN TO MARLO, OUR WHOLE FAMILY WATCHED “THAT GIRL” HAHA! WE ALSO WATCHED “FATHER KNOWS BEST”. THE HUSBAND HERE WATCHED ” THE RIFLEMAN” AND THEN HE STARTED AGING!!!!!WHAT A BUMMER. THE WAY I GOT STATED WAS WITH MY MOM AND DAD AND I GREW TO KNOW THEM. MARLO, YOU CAME FROM A GOOD FAMILY…GOD BLESS YOU BABYGIRL!

What a sensitive topic, for me. Career support has tended to circle my orbit without landing. Mainly because I dream up huge projects that require considerable engagement, so I handle them without draining off others. Plus I do such a hodge-podge of things, I’ve been hard to pigeon-hole. There was a long time, before hybrid media, when a person either chose to write, design, compose, teach or work in broadcast. My sister, exasperated, would say, Pick One! After developing projects and the inevitable moment comes when you are directed to meet with a ‘kingmaker’ - it becomes clear they will only support a woman they can possess. And I’ve had moments, pitching projects in front of boards, when a women will be the one to gaze up dubiously and ask, You thought this up? I still try my best not to languish without a leg up. At times, it makes me want to switch off my imagination. Undaunted, we proceed.

Maalox Marlo: Just got home after spending several days in Lansing. Hope you’re doing dandy. It’s getting very cold and nasty in Wish Again; snow, sleet, slop…. Anywho, your talent is what made you a shining star in the day. I’m sure having a famous father and drop-dead gorgeous looks didn’t hurt - even the most talented need a break somewhere along the line. But your natural ability, along with a drive for perfectionism, and being in the right place at the right time combined to make you a star. Great natural ability + hard work make for a spectacular talent. I’m egotistical enough to submit that I have some of those qualities, but only in a very narrow range. For example, I can barely draw a stick figure, I tried to make tapioca once and it turned into a rubber ball (I’m dead serious). But I’ve been told countless times (even today at a radio station staff meeting) that I’ve been blessed with a great voice, and I know my writing, editing and proofreading skills are rare (I don’t bother to proofread on this site, only at work). The Lord knows how hard I’ve worked to take what God has given me, but it never results in anything substantive, in terms of a really good-paying job or anything. I’ll never be famous. But there has to be some higher purpose to it all, and that, to me, is the key when I get depressed. My life has moved in so many different directions, it’s unreal. As great of a talent as I know you are, I really wish you had the time and opportunity to do something that would display your God-given super-talents in a brighter spotlight. You would be fantastic on an even-keeled talk show, not these manufactured brawls on network TV. You have the rare voice, the wisdom from life experiences few have known, a fascinating acting and family history, and St. Jude CRH. But you also have a certain charisma that jumps out of the screen, and on the radio airwaves. As for me, I’m in radio news, but my real passion has always been sports.

Having worked with Marlo, it’s clear that her discipline, personality and talent are the driving force behind her success.  While she may have the connections to get through the door, that is not what keeps her there and why people continue to want to work with her.  If anything, the child of a celebrity has to prove themselves even more so, so as to avoid the undercutting of their talent with the simple dismissal of "she only got the job because…".  Above all else, Marlo reminds me of a saying my dear friend and colleague George Furth would frequently share with me: "It’s not enough to have talent, you have to have a talent for having talent."  Marlo has that and so much more.