Savoring A Free Meal Thanks To Oprah Winfrey And KFC!

Like millions of other Americans who've stopped to read the major headlines of the day, as a reader I have been aware of how Oprah Winfrey has single-handedly changed the face of the world as we know it.

On occasion I have been often moved or otherwise impressed by the range and scope of topics tackled and variety of guests and stories told by this remarkable woman who has invited her television views to accompany her on the truly fascinating and inspiring journey which is her life.

Left: Mmmmn! Thanks to a limited time offer announced on Oprah Winfrey's television show, I enjoyed the delicious grilled chicken meal (sans soft drink purchased separately) shown here! Photo by Mizu Sugimura.

But never in my wildest dreams had I thought I'd ever had occasion to thank Oprah for a free meal until this very day.


However my son Bryan and I just happened to be home this afternoon viewing television when the show came on. And when she announced the availability of a down loadable coupon on her website which would entitle the bearer to exchange it for a limited time offer of a free 2 piece grilled chicken dinner with 2 sides and a biscuit at a participating Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet, he was happy to leave his seat in front of the tube, head in the direction of our family computer, log on to Oprah.com and print out the offer.

In so doing, my son was able to secure an opportunity for us to be part of something larger - an unexpected (from our side) nationwide television audience giveaway. A few hours later after running errands I stopped at our local KFC to redeem my coupon. After placing my order I waited briefly seated at a nearby booth. While passing time I would say a total of 3 out of every 4 persons I observed enter the premises through the doorway of this local outlet clutched an otherwise identical coupon in hand. Adding them up, it was easy to imagine similar scenes unfolding across the county.

In this manner, I along with possibly millions of my fellow Americans are no longer immune if any of us were before to the Oprah effect having now personally witnessed first-hand the power and influence her show and offer a free meal has on the public. Thanks to Oprah I know just how ho-hum memories of an otherwise ordinary day in a busy, stress filled week in the shadow of disease and continuing gloom of a down and drawn-out world economy can be quickly transformed into a wonderful moment and permanently engraved culinary repast.

It's also an example that we can all draw equal inspiration of the power to change.