A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....04-11-06....This is Your Life

Diver Dave; Billie | Diver Dave

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

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We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, Mama_Bear, GodBlessUSA ~

by DiverDave

Waaaay back in the 1950’s, many American families would gather around the old black and white television set to watch a program called, "This Is Your Life."

The premise of the show, which was produced by Ralph Edwards, was to surprise a featured guest on "live" television with a presentation of that guest’s biography supplied by the people who knew him or her.

Ralph Edwards would appear at the beginning with a large scrapbook tucked under his arm. Often times, he would surprise the guest at a Hollywood restaurant. Friends or relatives would secretly arrange to have the guest out to dinner, and Edwards would walk up to him/her, interrupt the table conversation introducing himself and then announce, "’John…", This Is Your Life."

The featured guest was then driven to the television studios where the rest of the show would take place. Edwards would offer a lead-in to an individual secreted off-stage. A voice would be heard reflecting on an incident or character from the guest of honor’s past. The person would then come on stage for a reunion with their friend. As the show progressed, more and more details of the person’s life were revealed with the introduction of friends and relatives of the guest of honor, and more tidbits would be revealed with the reunions.

At the end of the show, the guest of honor was presented with a Bell and Howell 16 mm sound movie camera and projector and a copy of the entire program. Edwards also presented the honoree with the scrapbook he used throughout the show as a point of reference. The book had the signature "This Is Your Life" logo on the front along with the person’s name. All the guests were then escorted out to a grand reunion affair.

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I used the "This Is Your Life" television program to tie in the similarity of the TV show and the beginnings of "FR’s Finest…" as well as to share a couple personal stories of "This Is Your Life."

As y’all look back through the "Hall of Fame" threads of FR’s Finest…, in the early days, individual FReepers were being interviewed by the different hostesses at the time. Many of us are logged in to those early FR’s Finest Profiles providing an inside look at each of us not readily available through our normal postings.

The first personal "This Is Your Life" I’d like to share deals with my dad, Pete.

My father passed away 10 years ago this month at the age of 88. A few years before his death, one of my cousins decided to put together a family book. She solicited contributions from throughout Dad’s large extended family. Dad was one of 13 children, so you may get an understanding of how "large" this family is. One of my favorite stories Dad told was when he was talking to a young boy at church about his family. He said, "There were 5 boys in my family, and each one of us had 8 sisters." The boy did the math and said in wide-eyed amazement, "WOW! 40 Kids".

The book my cousin created is filled with comments from coast to coast and border to border. All the cousins, as well as the few surviving siblings in Dad’s family submitted tons of information. It traces the story of the immigration (legal) of our grandparents from Denmark all the way forward to present day. The information gleaned from all the cousins and sisters, presents several "This Is You Life" sequences. Prior to Dad’s funeral, Pastor Ed was given a copy of the book to use as background in the eulogy. During the funeral service, he commented how great it was to read through the book and have all that information available in writing rather than relying on attaining the information during a family’s time of grief. Better still, he said how great it was for Dad to have been able to read for himself the words of praise from those around him his entire life. Words that often times fail to be uttered before one’s death.

One more personal perspective… In January of last year, my family surprised me with my very own "This Is Your Life," complete with my very own scrapbook.

The story begins during the summer of ’04. Mrs dd and our daughters came up with the idea to solicit from friends and relatives comments to celebrate my upcoming birthday. Behind the scenes, via e-mails, letters and phone calls, they managed to enlist all these folks to contribute whatever they wished. All were asked to put their thoughts, photos, and whatever else they wished on special paper supplied by my family crew.

The items started to trickle in from all over the place – mailed to our daughters so as to keep dear ol’ dad in the dark. Daughter Shelley, who is into "scrapbooking," compiled all the items together in a special scrapbook.

Imagine my total surprise, first at the scrapbook itself, then to read through all these glowing accounts from friends and relatives. Some included photos from days long gone by while others brought up subjects from the past that were shared experiences with those individuals. A very humbling experience required the use of at least one large box of Kleenex.

Perhaps now would be a good time for us to pause and reflect, who in my life have I not told how much they mean to me. Or perhaps something they did for me that had a lifetime effect for me, shaped my life, or helped me through a rough time. And what about sharing those fun and sometimes hilarious events shared with each other.

Know anybody you’d like to present with a "This Is Your Life" tribute? Pick up the phone, a pen, or man the keyboard and get started. Your guest of honor will enjoy the surprise.

And, FR’s Finest… is still looking for FReepers to place under the Atta-Boy/Girl spotlights.

03-28-06 ~ Hall of Fame #15

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 04-10-06 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[Diver Dave]

Mornin' Billie.

WOW!!! What a terrific job you've done bringing "This Is Your Life" to life with all your magic. The transition from black & white to living color should put the NBC Peacock to shame. Atta-Girl!!!

Once I finally sat down to write, everything just flowed together. Ashamed I didn't do it sooner for you (like last year when we first talked about it).

Don't have too many flowers to choose from in the garden, but the lilacs are in bloom.

For you, m'lady...

[Billie]

Thanks so much for the Great story Diver Dave and it's wowzer presentation Billie!

I still wish I had all that know-how to put things together like you do! ; )

I enjoy so much checking out FR's Finest...Always has great content. Thank You!

Such nice things you say - hard to know how to respond, except with a very sincere "thank you".

Our great content at FR's Finest is due in large part to the freepers who share *their* talents with us, and letting us present their stories.

[Diver Dave]

Diver, that is a beautiful story that you put together of your life...

Thanks LUV. That's a very small portion of my life. I could write volumes of "It's a Wonderful Life." Even the ups and downs have made it wonderful.

[Diver Dave]

It is so true that we should share these good memories and love with the living person..not wait for the eulogy.

Thank You MEG. I'm a firm believer of that policy.

[Billie]

I'm with Billie: Thank you, Dave, for an outstanding essay and proof of why you are part of the Finest team!

Can we pick 'em or what?!

THANKS!!!

[EsmeraldaA]

Thank you DiverDave!

[Diver Dave]

DD's essay renews my desire to write a biography of my beloved Grandfather for the reading pleasure of the nineteen grandchildren who loved him so.

Do it! Not only will your grandchildren enjoy it, you will too. I wouldn't advise starting with "It was a dark, stormy night..." though.

[Diver Dave]

Thank you SPM. Billie is indeed a great artist.
Thanks for your soldier and the GREAT tag.

[Billie]

This is absolutely wonderful. What a priceless birthday gift! I'd love to create a book like this for family. Gorgeous Billie :)

Good morning, GeeBee! Thank you so much. :)

It was a wonderful idea his family had for his birthday last year, and several of us were in on it, unbeknownst to him! :)

[WVNan]

This is beautiful! ALL these posts I've read are beautiful! Diver is, was, and always will be one of our Finest Freepers. :)

Dittos Billie, and a heckava referee too. Fantastic job, both of you, and a wonderful idea for a gift.

Sorry I can't stay because of so much to get done and I'm not moving very fast. I am better though,and want to thank everyone for the prayers. Have a great day all.

[Diver Dave]

Thanks .03.
You too are one of the Finest with the Daily Reflections threads.

[Diver Dave]

Thank You GBA.

No time like the present to get started on that book for your family.

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you, Diver Dave and Billie. A beautifully presented essay from one of FR's Finest contributors. I could feel the love woven through your words, Dave. It made me smile. Encore!! :-)

[Diver Dave]

Thank you, Proud.
Come back often. All of us make The Finest a great meeting room.

[Billie]

I need to leave for a bit - will be back sometime after lunch and catch up with pings.

[Diver Dave]

... you're a great guy. : )

Thanks Louie. Pass the word around - I need all the good press I can get. :) We've had a lot of fun over the years.

...testing the depth of wash tubs...

Yep! It was a tough job, but somebody had to do it.

[Diver Dave]

Mornin' dutchess. I really like that Pledge, too.

Did you get that pilot on your flight? :)

[Diver Dave]

Good Morning back at ya, EsmeraldaA.
Wish we had some of that sunshine. Gray skies again in the Big Valley.

[Diver Dave]

Hi Nan. Glad to hear you are feeling better. Did you follow Dr. Mama Bear's prescription? Take it slow and easy and call the Dr.

Dittos Billie, and a heckava referee too.

Ya mean this guy?...

[Diver Dave]

Encore!! :-)

Oh, oh. More demands on the writer.
Guess I should start negotiating a raise for everyone from the boss, Huh?
Thank You, MB!