Random musings...

Michelle,
The Oprah Winfrey Show would like to thank you for your picture and for talking with us. We wish you the best.


Sounds like a nice, business professional way of saying I didn't make the cut.

It's okay. Really. I mean it.

I took this as an opportunity to pitch her(the producer) on a show about herpes. I wrote her, gave her some facts, told her about what happened at the physical therapy office, included some soundbites, and provided her with names and e-mail addresses of people within the Herpes Community she could contact as potential guests.

I said, and I meant it, if I were given a choice between meeting Barry Manilow or Oprah doing a show on herpes, I'd choose Oprah doing a show on herpes without a second thought.

As much as I would love to have my 'do-over' and sing with Barry Manilow...it would mean more to me to reach out to the millions of people in Oprah's audience and educate them about herpes. It would mean more to me to help people who have herpes and are afraid or have no idea what to do next...than it would to try to right a wrong from my past. The past is just that.

To quote the infinite wisdom of Star Trek:

"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."
° Star Trek II - Wrath of Khan

I *want* to sing with Barry Manilow, don't get me wrong. There is a difference between wanting and needing something. I want to meet Barry Manilow, but it's not the end of the world if I don't meet him. Every day, people are newly diagnosed with herpes, and for them, aware of the stigma and the shame attached to it...it seems like the end of their world. A positive diagnosis can be emotionally devestating. I feel a desire, a need to reach out to those people and let them know that everything will be alright.

Why not take this opportunity to bend the ear of a producer on Oprah Winfrey's show and try to help others by bringing attention to herpes? Why not take this and make this positive experience? The only thing they can do is say no to a show on herpes.

At least I'll know that I've tried...and that I did what is the right thing for me.

I hope you don't think, with all I've written about having herpes and my experiences that I am making myself out to be some sort of martyr. I have my moments, God only knows, I HAVE MY MOMENTS...but...I really am this nice, and I really do care. I believe, passionately that no person should live in shame or fear simply because they have been diagnosed with herpes. I don't believe herpes is a topic of ridicule. Take some of the comments made by people who use herpes as a punchline on broadcast television, substitute the CANCER or AIDS and I doubt anyone would find those crass jokes funny.

It might sound corny...but I want to make a difference. I know I can. I want to do whatever it takes. If I only help one person in some small way, then that's all that matters.

Enough prattle from me. Once again, should I hear anything about the Oprah Winfrey Show one way or the other, I will keep you all informed.

Thanks for your continued reading patronage.

Best wishes.

~ Michelle

The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
~Robert Byrne