Dear Oprah

Yesterday I sent a message to my friend saying that I needed a shoulder and if she could meet for a coffee and talk a little bit.
She answered that her daughter was coming to town so it would have to be today.
I said ok and today I waited all day long for her phone call.
Of course, it didn't come.
I texted her asking if she was free and she said that she was at the mall with her daughters and grand-daughter. That she was going home but she was beaten.
That said - she really doesn't care if I am sad and I need somebody to talk to.
That's the history of my life and I just don't get why.
I am the kind of person that if you need me I'll drop everything I'm doing to offer you support.
More and more I come to think that we are all completely alone.
Even said friend.
She has her daughters and grand- daughter and a boyfriend and friends but I am sure that one day she'll feel alone.
Or maybe it's just me.
Maybe I am not a good person as I think I am.
My daughter surely thinks that I am the worst person in the whole world.
Today is my son's birthday.
He lives in Canada and as I told you I was not able to go spend today with him.
So, he bought a camera and put it in the living room and with a kind of software I could be part of his party.
I even sang Happy Birthday with the others guests.
I really miss him.
And I miss my mother.
The thing I want most in life is a lot of money so I can travel everywhere and visit my family and friends all around.

Dear Oprah

I've been working like crazy.
I'm not complaining, I swear!
Finally, there are some good episodes of American series to translate and also some of Brazilian ones to translate to English.
Unfortunately, money is still short but... It's a matter of time.
I am really sad with my daughter.
She is verbally abusive to me every time she has any problem and I am fed up to be mistreated by her.
She thinks that because she is stressed everybody around her has to cope with her mood.
I really don't know how her husband can bear it.
So, I'm not talking to her until she apologises and starts to really pay attention to the way she treats me.
It's not fair.
I'm sure I am a good mother.
I did my best to raise both of them and I am not perfect but I really gave them everything I had in me.
Sometimes I suffer because I live far from them, but... Sometimes I consider it a blessing.
God knows better, right?
Love

Dear Oprah

Have you ever wanted to shout "Fuck" to the world?
Well, today is one of these days.

Dear Oprah

Fortunately, I had a better week.
I have lots of work. The way I like it, more work than I can handle so I don't have time for anything else.
Yeah, I know, it's a way of not thinking but at least I might have money to buy a ticket to visit my son in September.
I had to ask him for money.
God knows how much it was difficult to do so but I really wasn't going to be able to get to the end of the month without his help.
As this week I have a lot of work I'll be able to pay him back by the end of July.
Thank you, Oprah.
People may ask themselves why I thank you. You didn't give me any money or even a word but you always inspire me.
You give me strength because I know there were times when life was really hard on you.
And look at you now!
Love

Dear Oprah

Lately, it has been so hard to just keep living.
Sometimes I wonder if the struggle is ever going to end.
I work. A lot.
I'm not kidding, I work a lot.
Normally 7 days a week. Sometimes 80 hours a week.
I love working. I swear I feel blessed to be able to do what I love.
I love my students and I love to translate.
The only problem is that I can't make a living out of it.
The cost of living here is so expensive that what I earn is not enough.
Even if I don't have a rent to pay and I am alone, what means I only have to provide for myself.
Ok, I have food on my table, I have clothes to put on and a car.
But I am not able to save some money for the rainy days.
I am not able to do little things that most people do: going to the movies, eating out or travelling.
Some of my friends they dream about retirement, I don't.
I don't want to retire.
But I want to be able to have some money invested, I want to travel, I want to be able to visit my kids.
Today I had to ask money to my son and I felt (and I am still feeling) so humiliated!
I don't want my kids to take care of me. I am only 58 years old.
I am not an old woman.
What do I do?
I pray and I try to be positive but I am failing miserably.

Dear Oprah

I've just left a comment on Facebook on your page OWN.
Readings other messages I saw what I already knew: you are loved because you give hope to people.
You always spread a good word. Good feelings.
I've been emotionally very... how can I say it? I've been struggling with depression.
I miss my children.
I can't believe that I am not going to be able to go to Canada to spend my son's 30th birthday with him.
But I have to believe that it's what God wants for me because everything was going right (financially) and suddenly everything started to go wrong.
There are fewer movies to translate so less money.
I did everything I can.
I sent my CV to every company I heard of.
I did all the tests some of these companies sent me.
Some I succeeded and the company hasn't sent me work yet.
Some I failed.
I talked to everyone I know who could indicate a subtitling company.
I tried to get more students.
Brazil's economy is chaotic.
Nobody knows what is going to happen tomorrow.
So, there's no way for me now to go to Canada.
I can't afford the plane ticket and I also have to get a new passport as mine expired and, of course, we have to pay for it
Anyway, that's the only problem I have and I can't complain.
I have enough work to pay for my livelihood.
I have some friends I see from time to time.
I have internet that allows me to talk to my kids on daily basis.
And I have my friend Oprah who takes my hand and guides me to a better state of mind. Who teaches me so much.
Who gives me hope.
I really can't complain.
I am blessed.
I am thankful.
God bless you Oprah.
Love you

Dear Oprah

I've just watched you at The United State of Women interviewing Michelle Obama and I have to say: I love you.
You'll never know me but I you are the friend I wish I had.
And so is Michelle Obama.
And so is every woman who wants to change the world.
The world is such an ugly place today, people are so mean to one another.
People are killing their neighbours,  their friends, the ones there are different from them.
People forgot how to live in peace.
And the ones like you and Michelle and Ellen and Hillary and Giselle and so many other, you are fighting the war of love. With love and work.
You are fighting intolerance with lots of work, of smiles.
People need principles.
Humanity needs principles.
I can't do a lot so I pray.
I pray every day for our world.
I try to spread good words and hope.
I try to be better every day to honour my parents and my kids.
You, Oprah, is the kind of people I want next to me.
God bless you.
Love