January 12, 2012 by Gina Conroy
Filed under Blog, Faith, Writing Mom and Dad Interviews
I had the privilege to interview Roma Downey and ask her questions about her life as a busy professional and mom and about her faith.
Roma Downey is an actress, author, and producer. Born and raised in Ireland, Roma is This summer, she was on the Hallmark Channel starring in the TV movie “Keeping up with the Randalls.” Last year she was also on Hallmark intheir summer hit “Come Dance At My Wedding.”
Her growing popularity led to her notable role as American icon Jackie Kennedy Onassis (“Jackie O”) in the Emmy Award Winning miniseries, “A Woman Named Jackie.”
Additionally, Downey has both executive produced and starred in multiple hit movies for CBS television, most notably “Borrowed Hearts,” “Monday After The Miracle,” “A Secret Life,” “The Sons of Mistletoe” and “The Survivors Club.”
Downey’s gifts extend far beyond the scope of Hollywood. She is a national spokesperson for Operation Smile, a charitableorganization which provides help and corrective surgeries to the over 200,000 children born with severe cleft lip conditions throughout the world. Through Operation Smile, she has travelled to CentralAmerica, to Asia and to the Middle East oninternational medical missions and was accompanied by her husband Mark and their three children, Reilly, James and Cameron to Jordan where they donated the equipment, supplies and training funds necessary to construct and operate the Roma Downey Life Support Training Center in Amman.
Downey is also an accomplished author, having written two children’sbooks, “Love is a Family” and “Leave a Message with the Moon” She has recorded an inspirational album of spoken word and poetry called “Healing Angel.”
Roma lives in Malibu, CA with her husband, producer Mark Burnett, their three teenage children and their two very large Irish wolfhounds, Finn McCool and Maximus!
Please welcome Roma to Writer…Interrupted.
Roma, where did the idea for the LITTLE ANGELS series come from?
God in Heaven, my Savior dear
Watch over my children and draw thou near
Send your little angels to be at their side
To light and to guard to love and to guide
This is a prayer I was taught growing up in Ireland and as a young child used to say it nightly with my parents. I was raised to believe in angels, and it was comforting and reassuring as a child to feel that there were angels always watching over me. Then for almost ten years I starred on the hit CBS television show “Touched By An Angel.” I played Monica, the tender hearted messenger, and while the story changed from week to week, the message was always the same – There is a God and God Loves us. It was about doing the right thing and sharing God’s love.
I wanted to be able to bring that same message of love and reassurance to young children and “Little Angels” does just that. The series provides good, warm and wonderful instruction about life lessons and important learning concepts, told through colorful animation. My “Little Angels” are painted on a mural on the ceiling of Alex and Zoe’s nursery. They are the last thing the children see when they go to sleep at night and the first thing they see when they wake up in the morning
Alex and Zoe are adorable four-year-old twins and they face all the challenges that any preschooler has to deal with and the Little Angels get to share adventures with them along the way
When Mom and Dad aren’t around, the “Little Angels” come to life and fly down and interact with the twins. They provide the kids with real practical learning skills such as ABC’s, 123′s and Animals, but they also teach important core family values such as being kind and sharing, being truthful and honest and showing gratitude and love.
There are eight little angel characters each with a distinct personality and they are always there when the kids need them most. The angels also offer the kids a glimpse into the world of the Bible by whisking Alex and Zoe back in time to share in some of our beloved Bible stories. And because the angels are messengers from above, they are there to always remind Alex and Zoe (and our little viewers at home) that they are never alone, for God is always watching over them and loving them. In addition, Little Angels is super cute and funny! It has colorful animation, adorable characters, and charming, upbeat sing-along music! This beautiful, heartfelt series wants to share a message of love and the joy of learning with preschool children everywhere.
How has your faith played a role in this project?
My faith is central to who I am so it plays a big role in everything in my life. I am fortunate that much of my working life has been about sharing inspiration and hope. I believe in God and am eager to share His message of love with everyone.
What obstacles did you have to overcome to see this project through to completion?
The challenge in launching a new children’s series is spreading the word. I know once families discover “Little Angels,” they will love it. I have 3 amazing DVD’s – “Little Angels ABCs,” “Little Angels 123’s” & “Little Angels Animals” plus musical CD’s, “Little Angels” Storybooks and even a “Little Angels” app…..great news for a long car ride!
I know that as parents we are looking for product we can trust and “Little Angels” was created with that in mind. We even have the MOPs (Mothers of Pre-schoolers) Seal of Approval.
You’ve written two other books, “Love is a Family,” and “Leave a Message with the Moon,” and recorded an inspirational album of poetry called “Healing Angel,” not to mention your television work on Touched By An Angel, and now this project. How did you do all this and be mom to three children?
My husband, Mark Burnett, is a great partner and as busy as it gets, we just try to make our family a priority. We have 3 teens so its hectic sometimes, too. Listen, nothing is perfect but we keep doing the best we can. We listen and share and try to make time for each other. One thing we really consider to be important is our family dinner, free of television and cell phones. Quality time together — that’s the key.
If you could do one thing over again related to your career and parenting, what would it be?
I am not a big one for “would have, could have, should have”….live and learn and move on. Forgiveness of self and forgiveness of others. Life is too short to not be willing to move forward with gratitude because it’s all a blessing really. It’s the glass half full, to see what you have and to be grateful.
Great, advice, Roma! What would you tell moms struggling to balance their family life and dreams they know are from God?
You know how on a plane when the flight attendant reminds us in an emergency to take the oxygen mask first before assisting our child? It reminds me that sometimes we just need to breathe, take a bath, find a moment to recharge. We are busy juggling our lives and careers and kids and giving of ourselves. Being a Mom is rewarding but it can be hard work. God is the oxygen. Take time to breath in His blessings and trust that His air supply is unconditional and never ending.
Well, said! Roma, thank you so much for sharing you heart and love of God and for this series “Little Angels” which I know will bless so many!
If you would like to be entered to win one of the “Little Angels” dvd please leave your name and email.
Gina Conroy used to think she knew where her life was headed, now she's leaning on the Lord to show her the way. She is the founder of Writer...Interrupted,and tries to keep things in perspective, knowing God's timing is perfect, even if she doesn't agree with it! ;) Her first book Cherry Blossom Capers releases from Barbour Publishing in January 2012. On her blog and twitter she chronicles her triumphs and trials as she pursues her dreams while taking care of family.
TURNING OVER a new leaf, as a change from the chairs, hands or architectural details that I normally draw when I’m in a waiting room, I pick up these dried leaves as we walk into Orchard Croft health centre in Horbury this morning.
