"The Oprah Winfrey Show," which averages 7 million viewers a day, will conclude Wednesday after 25 seasons.
We asked readers to share an episode of the show that changed their life.
My story with Oprah goes back years before her show, approximately 36 years. I was living in Baltimore at the time, and Oprah and Richard Sherr were on a show called "People Are Talking."
They did a special on people with agoraphobia. At the time, I was suffering with fear and an inability to go certain places.
Thanks to the show, I was able to talk about my problem with my dad. As a result, I went to Johns Hopkins Anxiety Clinic, where I was diagnosed with panic disorder, put on medication and have been panic-free since then.
Even before there was an "Oprah Winfrey Show" she had an effect on peoples lives.
- Sondra Jones of Windsor Township
I came here from Italy when I was 17. I overcame so many obstacles over the years, and as soon I learned to speak English, "Oprah" was the show I watched all the time.
I watched her grow to be what she is today. She's my inspiration.
But one show that really sticks in my mind was one where a few people overcame many health problems and started helping other people.
One lady, after the show, went back to her old ways and fell into a deep depression. But one day she watched a follow-up of her show by Oprah about the people that she (the lady) had touched (by telling her story). She ended up being touched by the same people (whom) she had touched.
Good luck, Oprah. You will always be my hero.
- Josephine Covello Shaffer of York Township
I have to say that the karaoke show changed my life. It made me proud to see her single out the less-than-famous singers.
I myself am a singer of karaoke. I would give it all to be on a stage and sing to many Americans.
. . . They told me (karaoke) was a fad. Well, 20 years later, the fad is still here.
I sing locally in York and surrounding places, singing with my heart and loving it. But I never got the chance to sing in front of many people, including my family and friends. My big dream is to get them all together and to sing, but that is difficult, as they all live everywhere -- locally and far away.
I wanted (this) one wish to sing to my family, as last year I spent almost all year in the hospital. Now I am healing, and trying to get back to the life I once had. . . .
- Cheri Thompson of New Freedom
A spontaneous prayer to always be a "life-giving nurse" emerged during an Oprah interview.
A physician spoke about her saga being the victim of a rare type of stroke. The recovery was long and drawn out. A few, simple words she spoke were especially impressive to me: "A patient can tell immediately if a nurse is life-giving."
As a licensed practical nurse at York Hospital since 1969, I've always been committed to good nursing care. "Life giving," however, added a new dimension and renewed my ardor for nursing.
Nursing is both a gift and a responsibility. How profound to be in a "life-giving" profession. I'm an internationally board-certified lactation consultant. Maternity is busy, and lactation can be a challenging specialty. At age 61, often I go home exhausted.
Vividly, I remember whispering this prayer as Oprah's guest spoke, "Father, help me be life-giving to the patients entrusted to my care. Amen."
