Rosie O'Donnell

Rosie O'Donnell
Actress and TV personality Rosie O'Donnell is one of millions who loves to sing along with The Sound of Music, a film that holds special meaning for her.

When Rosie was just 10 years old, her mother passed away. For years after, Rosie says she dreamed of Julie Andrews becoming her new mother. "I had a recurring fantasy that Julie Andrews would show up at my house and fall in love with my dad and somehow this nanny/babysitter/nun/angel comes in and transforms the entire family," she says. "So it, for me, was a dream, a hope, a wish, a fantasy, something to sort of pin my sadness on that elevated it."

It's not just Julie that she loves—it's the entire movie. "It was life-altering," she says."It was definitely the best film I had ever seen in my life. It remains so to this day."

At least once a year, Rosie says she gathers her children together to watch it. "There are such great lessons about believing in who you are and destiny and fate and trusting your instincts and not compromising," Rosie says. "It's strange to watch a movie that meant so much to me with my own children and see it resonate with them."
Andrea

Andrea
Andrea was just 5 years old when she first watched The Sound of Music, and to this day, she sings songs like "I Have Confidence" to lift her up when she's nervous.

"When I have a big event coming up, job interview, large test—and even the day of my wedding—I start singing out loud 'I Have Confidence,'" she says.

Julie

Julie
Julie credits this movie musical with sparking her interest in becoming a nun like Julie Andrews' character, Maria. "I went off to college, got a degree in religious studies, and I entered the convent a year later," she says.
Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn was born profoundly deaf, but at age 5, she received her first cochlear implant. "The very first music I ever heard was Julie Andrews singing 'The Hills are Alive,'" Kaitlyn says. "It was an awakening experience for me. It was as if someone put a 30-piece orchestra and stuck it inside my head. I was overwhelmed after living in a life of silence."

When it comes to her favorite things, Kaitlyn's is music. She's now mentoring sign language interpreters who work in the theater. "The Sound of Music changed my life," she says.
Rick

Rick
In November, 1966, Rick's wife dragged him—"kicking and screaming"—to see The Sound of Music. Seven months later, he was deployed to Vietnam. While overseas, he says he watched The Sound of Music 127 times.

"I could go to another world for three hours," Rick says. "I could go to that part of me that was free. That part of me that had no worries, no woes, no concerns. For three hours, it was just wonderful, splendid peace."

How has The Sound of Music influenced your life? Leave your comments below!

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