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

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

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.

---

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!

[Billie]

[Billie]

Good Morning, Finest FReepers!

A treat today! essay is written by Diver Dave .... it's not the first one he's written for us and I sure hope it's not his last, because *these* are my favorite kinds of threads to do: where someone else does the writing, and I get to do all the pictures and tables and decide how to put it together!

~ Billie

[Choose Ye This Day]

If I may, everyone should start their day reading over at Michael Yon's blog (if they haven't already), one of our soldier's own firsthand account of the good that our troops are doing in Iraq.

Here's the FR thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1612440/posts

[Billie]

Thank you again for today's thread - it's so easy and so much fun to *do* your essays. You practically paint the pictures by yourself, so there's no question, really, what to look for in graphics! :)

I am tired and going to call it a day. Will be back later in the morning. :)

[Billie]

Thank you so much for that link. I'm just logging off and saw your post, and will definitely check out the link.

[luvie]

Diver, that is a beautiful story that you put together of your life...and Billie, a most beautiful presentation of it. Thank you both! (((hugs)))

[MEG33]

Applause! What a treat to read this before retiring..Thank you for a peek into your family. You are loved, Diver Dave!
It is so true that we should share these good memories and love with the living person..not wait for the eulogy.

Beautiful presentation and pledge, Billie. Thank You!

[MHGinTN]

Thank you for the ping, Artist Lady. 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.

[SoldiersPrayingMom]

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!

Big ((Hugs)) to you both......

[.30Carbine]

I'm with Billie:

Thank you, Dave, for an outstanding essay and proof of why you are part of the Finest team!

[GodBlessUSA]

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

[The Mayor]

April 11, 2006

The Glorious Sunset

Read:
Psalm 71:9-18

At evening time it shall happen that it will be light. —Zechariah 14:7

Bible In One Year: 1 Samuel 17-18; Luke 11:1-28

It is wonderful to be young, with clear sight, acute hearing, elastic step, pulses drumming to the march of exhilarating health. But old age has glories that youth cannot know. It is a blessed old age indeed if it ends brightly at evening time.

Old age celebrates the harvest—youth the sowing. Like fruit in the fall, the harvest of old age will either dry up and wither, or grow mellow and sweeter as it ripens.

You cannot escape the advancing years. Youth stays long enough only to strengthen our shoulders for the burdens ahead. Life leads inevitably to the evening time. But the best things are the oldest things—things that have endured and stood the test of time. God Himself—though not bound by time—is called the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9).

So don't be ashamed to own your age. Everything that abides must become old: mountains, rivers, oceans, stars.

But the evening time of life can be bright only if we have the One who is the Light as our evening Sun. Nothing is sadder than an aging person facing eternity without Jesus. And nothing is sweeter than a gently mellowing Christian, still growing and resting in Christ as he faces God's tomorrow with confidence. —M. R. De Haan, M.D.

So I journey with rejoicing
Toward the city of God's light,
While each day my joy is deeper,
And the pathway grows more bright. —Hoffman

It is a strange thing that, while all would live long, none would be old. —Benjamin Franklin

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Finishing Well

April 11, 2006

The Glorious Sunset

Read:
Psalm 71:9-18

At evening time it shall happen that it will be light. —Zechariah 14:7

Bible In One Year: 1 Samuel 17-18; Luke 11:1-28

It is wonderful to be young, with clear sight, acute hearing, elastic step, pulses drumming to the march of exhilarating health. But old age has glories that youth cannot know. It is a blessed old age indeed if it ends brightly at evening time.

Old age celebrates the harvest—youth the sowing. Like fruit in the fall, the harvest of old age will either dry up and wither, or grow mellow and sweeter as it ripens.

You cannot escape the advancing years. Youth stays long enough only to strengthen our shoulders for the burdens ahead. Life leads inevitably to the evening time. But the best things are the oldest things—things that have endured and stood the test of time. God Himself—though not bound by time—is called the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9).

So don't be ashamed to own your age. Everything that abides must become old: mountains, rivers, oceans, stars.

But the evening time of life can be bright only if we have the One who is the Light as our evening Sun. Nothing is sadder than an aging person facing eternity without Jesus. And nothing is sweeter than a gently mellowing Christian, still growing and resting in Christ as he faces God's tomorrow with confidence. —M. R. De Haan, M.D.

So I journey with rejoicing
Toward the city of God's light,
While each day my joy is deeper,
And the pathway grows more bright. —Hoffman

It is a strange thing that, while all would live long, none would be old. —Benjamin Franklin

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Finishing Well

[proud2beconservativeinNJ]

Applause! What a treat to read this before retiring..Thank you for a peek into your family. You are loved, Diver Dave!

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.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Terrific job, darlin'

Love the black/white. : )

I'll return later, have a tad of business to take care of. : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

Wonderful, Diver!

God has blessed you with a loving family, and deservedly so, you're a great guy. : )

BTW......your important job in the navy wasn't mentioned...

...testing the depth of wash tubs.

Just kiddin'. Thank you for your service, FRiend. : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

Morning, Rus! Have a great day!

[Billie]

Good morning, Luvbo, and thank you very much for your sweet compliments. I've been so looking forward to posting it today - had it ready a whole week ahead of time!

[dutchess]

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

[Billie]

Thank you, Meg, for the compliment on the presentation and pledge.:)

Applause! What a treat to read this before retiring..Thank you for a peek into your family. You are loved, Diver Dave! It is so true that we should share these good memories and love with the living person..not wait for the eulogy.

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

[Billie]

Thank you for the ping, Artist Lady. 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.

Thank you for coming over to the Finest, MHG, on today's thread (and John's last night) :) It's nice to have you here - I do appreciate your words. :)