I rushed home yesterday to see Oprah's final show. I felt like I was celebrating the loss of a good friend. The past two days were amazing. The celebration at the Civic Center in Chicago with Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, Queen Latifah, Will Smith, Jaime Foxx, Tom Hanks and Crews, and Michael Jordan. I still have shivers from the duet from Josh Grobin and Patti LaBelle. The look on Oprah's face was priceless.I loved every moment of it.
I didn't cry. I couldn't help, but smile. Oprah, the Queen of Daytime Talk, was going out on her own terms. She looked gorgeous. That pink suit. That fierce bracelet. Today was one-on-one time with my beloved O.Who would replace her at 4 p.m.? In our Eastern time slot, it will be Dr. Oz. Another Oprah protege. He has some pretty BIG shoes to fill.
Oprah has been a daytime TV fixture for 25 years. Longer than Phil Donahue. Or anyone else for that matter. She got America reading, again. Gave away cars. Paid a deserving, hard-working mom's salary for a year. Supported causes. Donated a house to a family-in- need. Reunited a Rwandan family separated via war. Feed people. Shared what her favorite things are. Supported a Presidential candidate who became our President. Groomed new TV show hosts. Built a school. Produced films and Broadway plays. Encouraged women to become educated. In her own way, she changed the world even liberated it.
She got us to want to live a better life. Excuse me, our best life. She told us stories that made us laugh or cry. Some of these stories motivated us to do better. We responded by getting off our butts and doing something. For out TV girlfriend, who only wanted "the job" and planned to only stay in Chicago a few
years: she did well.
This last show reminded me why I'm a lifelong Oprah fan. Her class and level of professionalism. Her openness and her BIG heart. She's been an amazing role model for me. We'll never see another Oprah in own lifetime. While that thought makes me sad; I'm glad I won't have to wait another 25 years. She's inspired generations of women and for that, I'm thankful. Now, it's our turn to pick up and carry on your torch. You have taught us well. I'm so proud.
Posted By: Marsha Jones
Thursday, May 26th 2011 at 1:12AM
You can also
click
here to view all posts by this author...
