I never got to be on the Oprah show

Thank you, Oprah! We love you, too.

Today is the last first-run episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show (in case you didn't know. You're welcome). I'm admittedly a little verklempt. Oprah is a controversial figure for many reasons, but the thing that might summarize her controversy best is that she appears on the cover of every issue of her magazine. Oprah often appears bigger than life. Her brand is huge …and her brand is herself. When she recommends something, millions respond instantly, which really scares others who aren't fans; they find this rather alarming and tantamount to hero-worship.

But Oprah's ultimate message, as any fan can tell you, is "live your best life." Hard to find controversy there. I've watched Oprah pretty regularly since I used to come home from school on the bus, watch an episode each of Gilligan's Island and Brady Bunch and fix myself a bowl of carrots and celery drowning in Italian dressing. That's 25 years ago. I haven't always agreed with Oprah or her guests, not by a long shot. As we all know, her original vision for her show was less lofty and more sensational; when she decided to focus on uplifting her audience, the world was changed like no one could have ever predicted. Here's a partial list of the results of Oprah being part of our daily lives for 25 years (like it or not) -

Oprah made philanthropy cool. Everyone wanted to find a way to give back, big, small, didn't matter, as long as it was from the heart. She drilled the message in to her viewers that we all have something to give. She redefined success to mean how much you could help others (you might not think that's a big deal now, but her show started in the mid 1980s– an era that reeked of materialism and success was measured by how many toys you had acquired and how big they were. Also big hair, but that's another story.)
Oprah made reading cool. She started a book club in 1996, which started a movement across the country. Some even credit her with saving an ailing-even-then publishing industry. She promoted 65 titles. There's a conservative guesstimate that 55 million books were sold because of Oprah's Book Club. People started reading again for pleasure and to expand their horizons; people also started to discuss what they were reading, sharing ideas, insights and inspiration.
Oprah reminded women (and men) that being a mom was cool ("the most important job on the planet"), and so was being a woman who worked outside the home. She reminded men that being a dad was cool and it was OK to work at home as a dad.
Oprah inspired viewers to take charge of their physical, mental and spiritual well-being and to not dally in victimhood. Her own life was an inspiration for millions.
Oprah taught us that sisterhood was a good thing. Cooperation would get us further than competition.
Oprah educated people…literally. She built schools, provided scholarships, inspired people to get an education who otherwise would not have. In total, she provided an education for  64,688 people. That's people going to school and college; it doesn't even include the education she provided for her fans and viewers!
Oprah reminded us it's cool to have a sensitive, feminine side. Femininity is not weak or helpless, it is strong, necessary and beautiful. Girls can rule the world in that special way that only girls do: without domination, but with kindness, creativity and collaboration.
Oprah encouraged viewers to ask questions if they wanted answers and to rally themselves to seek answers, even if it meant striving for them.
Oprah reminded us that there is more that connects us than divides us. She brought onto her show "outsiders", even criminals and convicts, treating them with respect for the simple fact that they are human, even if we can't understand or relate to their actions. She also gave voice to that little piece of each one of us that feels like an outsider.
Oprah grew a massive movement to stop texting and driving (seriously, DON'T)!!!
Oprah inspired and motivated her viewers to look for the goodness that they embodied and find their "dream" and go after it.
Oprah made God cool. She didn't apologize for being spiritual, Christian or a God-believer. She also didn't make anyone feel stupid for disagreeing.
Oprah told us it's OK to have a little fun and to take time for yourself in order to be your best self and help others.

For those reasons and many more, Oprah inspired me. Many of my projects had that little impetus behind them that if I did them well, I could be on the Oprah Show and inspire others, too. It only recently dawned on me (belatedly!) that I won't get to be on the Oprah Show. I never made a dreamboard with a picture of myself on her stage (my bad), but I know how much she'd love Petalwink and Fifties Chix and my other lit brands with a conscience for kids that are still in the planning stages. I've literally had dreams where I've been hanging out at her house (the Montecito house, by her pool), discussing the Bible and spirituality; I've walked out onto the Oprah Show stage and hugged her, feeling my heart throbbing throughout my whole body and seeing my friends in the audience who came to support me (and meet Oprah, natch); and gone to a concert/theater vague dream thing with Oprah, my girlfriend, at my side.

For sure, my books coulda used the boost in sales a visit to the Opra Show would have provided, but I realize that–as cheesy as it sounds–I have been on the Oprah Show. Every time I've watched and been inspired, had an "a-ha! moment" (TM Oprah Winfrey), my heart has sung, ached, soared or roared with a guest, laughed, cried (let's not talk about how many times that show has made me weep. Embarrassing!), or made me go have a much-needed but dreaded conversation with someone that made all the difference…every time, I've been on the Oprah show. As Kristin Chenoweth sang in the second to last show, she's "left her handprint on our hearts."

In the end, Oprah is still "just" a person. I'm not advocating sainthood or hero worship, but I do believe we all owe her two simple, heart-felt words: Thank you. And to that I'll add, I can't help but miss you, girlfriend.