Mama and Me In The First Church of Harpo

Oprah arrived at our family home to meet and speak with my Mother. Since Mama died 19 years ago a few days before Mother's Day, I find it significant that the high priestess of The First Church of Harpo sought her out.

I'd opened the front door to find Oprah coming up the walk, a small entourage of people with her, a limousine parked out front on the narrow street that most people have a hard time finding.

"Oprah's here," I called out, silently wondering what in the world is Oprah doing at my childhood home in Florida. A flurry of activity and greetings followed all around, a few "Faithful Friends" from my parents Sunday school class were there helping Mama get ready for a luncheon.

"O" came into our living room and sat in one of the upholstered side chairs. She was tired and without pretense told us she "needed a little refuge time along with some spiritual rejuvenation."

Everyone left Oprah alone for a moment except me, I'd been standing off to the side observing. She fit right in with her surroundings as if it was perfectly normal for her to be sitting in a stranger's living room. Someone handed her a tall glass of ice tea.

Even though "O" looked bone tired and needed refuge from celebdom, I cast aside my southern manners and approached her.

"Would you mind taking a picture with my Mother and I before you left?" I asked.

Her people 'weren't sure.' One of the "Faithful Friends" gasped out loud.

"O" didn't mind at all.

Photo: Me and Mama, Antonelli's Begonia Gardens, Capitola, CA, 1984.