Dear Oprah: Let's Be Friends!

Everyone knows Oprah. Like Cher, Prince and Cleopatra, she just has the one name: Oprah.

I have two names. Charlene and Kodimer.  Yep, that’s two.  How much more infamous can I be?

Charlene Kodimer. I’ve never heard of me. 

I was invisible at birth. My mother was too busy preparing for her exit from the hospital. Her needs were eclipsed by those of her newborn first and only daughter.

It was foreshadowing. She always took precedence over me. 

Fast forward 80 years later. I still have two names and I'm still not famous. The future is not bright, much less promising. 

I haven't given up, though. Short of legally deleting my last name (and disorienting everyone abruptly haha), I'm going to give reaching out to Oprah a shot. Why not?

We all know Gayle (note well: no last name) is her best friend, but I was thinking maybe Oprah is lonely and she would like another friend.  How gracious of me. I know I could use a friend. Why not Oprah? As I always say, start at the top!

So Oprah, I’m reaching out to you and offering my friendship in case it's lonely up there in the stratosphere. I think we could have fun swapping stories, especially about people who live in LA.

If you are too busy to answer this letter or have an abundance of friends (or if Gayle would have friendvy,*  I will understand.

Your new bestie,
Charlene**



*Friendvy = friend envy. Coinage my editor, Gina Raith. 

**If you've read this, O, I now just have the one name. And maybe you can aspire to just have the one letter? We can process over coffee.