Ode to Oprah

Oprah.

I am completely fascinated with, in total awe of, and humbly enamored by everything that is Oprah Winfrey.

I cried during each of the last 5 episodes leading up to the show finale. Yes, I shed tears over an afternoon talk show host's retirement bonanza. And I am not even the least bit embarrassed.

Because ... I'm a fan.

No. I am not that fan who has written Oprah countless letters over the span of 25 years (because, duuuh, I'm only 24). I've never sent her an email or requested a written transcript of her show (tell me they're not still wasting paper on those things). Never have I bargained my soul to the Harpo gods in exchange for seats to a taping. I, unfortunately, cannot even boast by saying I've seen every Oprah episode.

Although I did Tweet her once.

My behavior may fall short of fanatical when it comes to the Big O, however, I assure you that my adoration and respect for her is as deeply rooted as that tree in Mississippi under which Ms. Winfrey was conceived.

Oprah - a perfectly and beautifully concocted phenomenon.

Beyond her ability to connect with people is her ability to make you examine your own imperfections. Through the years, her colorful guests have been like a catalogue of songs; millions of melodies and lyrics telling uniquely different - but yet relatable - stories.

I always find it quite curious when a person has an "Oprah? She's no big deal" kind of attitude.

When someone acts aloof about Oprah, I find myself plunging into a never-ending diatribe about her hundreds of philanthropic endeavors and how I would've never read Eckhart Tolle’s “A New Earth” without her Book Club and about how incredibly moved I was by the "You Get A Car! You Get A Car!" episode which aired the day before my birthday and about how her sophistication inspired me to choose her as the woman I admired most in the media when I competed for Georgia's Junior Miss in high school...

One hour at a time, Oprah reminded us to maximize our full potentials, she reinforced the importance of finding strength amidst pain, and she convinced men across the world to trade excess weight for longer penises. Mmmm...SCORE!

She shared with us her less than perfect past - her struggle with weight, broken home and childhood - and proved how yesteryear’s shame is merely a stepping stone to tomorrow's triumphs.

The human spirit, Oprah showed us, is as complicated as quantum physics yet as simple as saying, "I need you."

Many attribute her success to impeccable timing. "Right place, right time" gets some credit; her intrinsic giftedness to excel fueled by God's graces gets the rest.

I relish in the beauty that one of my most precious role models is a self-made billionaire whose ethnic background and gender are identical to mine. I am even prouder that those same physical characteristics with which I closely identify weren't deal breakers but instead were history makers.

Oprah ... everything she is is everything she wasn't supposed to be.

So I thank you, Oprah, for fulfilling your life's purpose and for picking up some of the slack for the rest of us, too.