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.

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~ 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.

---

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]

Time to pass the keyboard over to Logan. He'll be playing some games at disney.com. BBL

[Billie]

What a wonderful story dave..and beautiful presentation sistah!!!! You two make quite a team! (and the pledge is absolutely priceless) BBL!!!! (((((dave)))))) (((((billie)))))

Hi, sistah! Thank you so much. Dave - and his family - have been such a big part of the Finest from the very beginning - easy to see he's an easy guy to love!

((((((((((Hugs!))))))))))

[Billie]

Good afternoon, Rus. I wonder if it's only coincidence that so many times our Daily Bread message is right on target with the day's thread. :) This fits so well with the scrapbooks of life. :)

[Majie Purple]

It's no stretch to say: Diver Dave also serves The Finest Family as Driver Dave too :)Really nice presentation...Story & gifs to go along with!

[Majie Purple]

You wrote that you went through a box of Kleenex tearing over the well wishes & thoughts and I can see why... so here's a replacement box for you!

[Billie]

What a treat to read this to start the day! More applause for your efforts.....but then I followed Choose Ye This Day's suggestion and that led me somewhere and then to....well, there are just so many great and informative things here on FReeper today. So I'm back and just wanted Billie and DiverDave to know their work is appreciated. Take care all. Thank you.

And what a really nice post yours is. Thank you, proudNJconservative! It's always good to see you.

(as you made mine) :)

[Majie Purple]

You wrote that you went through a box of Kleenex tearing over the well wishes & thoughts and I can see why... so here's a replacement box for you!PS my prir post to this I forgot to take my name out & place your name in the recipient box so I reposted...An extra box might be needed today anyway:)

[Billie]

Terrific job, darlin' Love the black/white. : )

Thank you, sweet wolfie, for the sweet words....and this beautiful gif:

You just keep on making me smile, don't you? :)

[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!!!

There you go again! You're responsible for a lot of big smiles around here, you know!

For you, m'lady...

How pretty - the lilac bush is in your yard, I presume! Thank you - for the lilacs and the essay! More! :)

[Billie]

Hey, Es! Hope you're having a sunshiny day, too!

[Billie]

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.

Hi, Nan! I'm glad you had a minute to stop in, and really glad if you're feeling better (you're not just saying that to make *us* feel good, are you?) :)

Thank you for your compliment on today's thread - Dave is so EASY to work with, if it must be called work!

[Majie Purple]

And for the Diver Dave in you some blue ocean bubbles!

[Mama_Bear]

Oh, oh. More demands on the writer.

Hey, that's what happens when you do something well. ;-)

Guess I should start negotiating a raise for everyone from the boss, Huh?

Works for me. :-)

[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!! :-)

Hi, Lori - thank you for the A beautifully presented essay, and as for the rest of your post, well....."WHAT YOU SAID!!!":)

[Mama_Bear]

Did you follow Dr. Mama Bear's prescription?

Are you kidding? No one listens to MamaBear. :-(

[Billie]

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

Well, that can sure be arranged - double your present salaries for everyone. I'm in a generous mood. :)

[Mama_Bear]

Well, that can sure be arranged - double your present salaries for everyone. I'm in a generous mood. :)

Oh, my lucky day!!! Wait a minute, does this mean we have to work twice as hard?

[jwfiv]

A truly fine thread ... thank you, DD and Miss Bluebird.

Makes me miss my Mom and Dad, their good ol' dog Mickey, and all the rest of my family.

Wishing all my Finest Family the best of days!

[Majie Purple]

"...No one listens to MamaBear..."

This one listens to Mama Bear...

[Mama_Bear]

This one listens to Mama Bear...

Well, thank you, sweet Maj. I don't feel half as "ignored" now. :-)

I need to run to the store for my MIL and guess I had better get going before people start getting off of work or before it starts raining again.

We're about to start growing gills down here. Never seen so much rain! Everything sure is nice and lush and verdant though. Our lawn has never been greener.