Oprah Winfrey has meant a lot of things to me. Over the past 25 years I've been confused, amazed, enthralled, jealous and in a worship state over Oprah. Through it all, it has been a wonderful ride watching this lady become a fixture in the lives of the people of the world. Oprah has been in so many homes and reached so many people. I'm sure that when she started her show it did not hit her what the first show all those years would lead to. Heck seeing black people on TV was rare. Oh we had actors and actresses but no one that could become part of your life and affect people the way Oprah has.
What has she done for me well it's huge. She taught a girl from the suburbs of Chicago how to feel. When I watched Oprah's show's I felt empathy for others and a whole lot of other emotions. When she did that show about bigotry in that hateful town who disliked gay people. She did that show at a time where I knew nothing about being gay. Seeing how hateful some of those people were to that man was horrible and I was never the same again. Years after that my own son came out to me and the family and I feel my acceptance of him and his lifestyle started when I watched that show.
Over 20 years ago I was spanking my kids. It was how I was raised and all I knew. I can't remember the guests but I remember sitting in my living room crying watching a show on why you should not spank your children. It touched me and made me feel. It was and has been a life changing show for me. I stopped spanking after that. Oh I had my moments when my son's (I have 4) got to me but overall I tried to change and I believe I became a better mother that day. Spanking was far and few after that show.
Watching how Oprah approached the OJ Simpson trial. She was amazing, just and fair. She gave the facts tinged with her own disgust and feelings of disbelief. Again I looked at her differently.
I am a very large woman so I sat for years watching Oprah's size go up and down and feeling her pain when the weight creeped back on. I wanted my own chef and personal trainer like Oprah has. I wanted to be Oprah. For years I have wanted to be on that show of her favorite things. I tried a few times to get on that show. Now it's the end of the ride and I am actually dreading her last favorite things show cause I won't be on it. Life isn't always fair.
Right after the Oklahoma City Bombings I did get on the show. I was there when Phylicia Rashad was on and I was struck at how beautiful she was in person. I couldn't believe how she looked it was my first up close but not personal time I was in a room with a famous person. That day my Oprah adoration took a turn. For years I had seen Oprah shake hands with the audience and she was always so kind. Sitting in the audience she didn't seem nice and by the way she did not shake my hand which was a huge blow to me. I stopped watching the show for a while after that. I guess I thought what I saw on TV was real I didn't realize it was produced and designed to look a certain way.
Yes it's true I did stay away for awhile but eventually I came to realize that she is human and she's Oprah a person. I had idolized her and forgot that she feels and has bad days just like me.
This season I've watched in amazement at the how great all the shows have been. I am saddened that Oprah is not going to do the show anymore but totally understand how at over 50 she needs to move on.
My dreams of working for Oprah has also come to an end but I feel that this is one show that has affected my life more than any other. The stories I've hit on above are just a couple there are so many more.
Thanks Oprah for being there when I was at my lowest. Thanks for helping to make me a better mother. Thanks for showing the world how to give. Thanks for giving me laughter watching you and Gayle camping was a highlight for me. It made me laugh so hard.
Oprah you made a difference and I will miss you.
Much Love
Sharon
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