Belle, My Mom In her Prime, a Gorgeous Woman!
Each Valentine’s Day we show our love for friends and family, but today I’d like to thank Whitney Houston who helped me through a difficult time in my life.
In 1993 my Mother was diagnosed with Pancreatic and Liver Cancer and was struggling for her life. She was 72 years old, and just getting started on enjoying her retirement. Each weekend I would drive down to the Jersey Shore from Hoboken to Point Pleasant. I wanted to be with them and help them in any way I could. I was very close with my parents, as the baby in the family and the last to leave, so we shared so much and I trusted them and their guidance.
As I would drive on the turnpike and Garden State, the flocks of birds would swirl and soar around and Whitney’s song, “I Will Always Love You” would play on the radio. The combination of the birds soaring and Whitney’s amazing and powerful voice would fill me up and I would cry as I was driving. She helped me release the frustration and it was a way to grieve before and after being with my parents.
This past weekend when I heard about Whitney’s passing, it brought me back to that song and that time, and all the memories came flooding back. (…of course all those 9″ LPs, which I still have and would sing along to, like most.)
She had one of the most amazing voices of our time and I’m sorry she won’t be thrilling us all with what was coming next. I appreciate her gift to us all and especially for helping me when I needed it so badly.
My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. May the outpouring of love from the world and gratitude help you through this very difficult time.
The funeral was a splendid, dignified tribute to Whitney Houston, and I think the world got to see and hear many more righteous black people in one afternoon than the media ever focuses on, and I don’t mean just superstars. The choir got face time! The family feeling among Christians was evident throughout. As many of the commentators said, it was “the day America went to church.” With “people of faith” being treated in the media most of the time as organized groups with leaders speaking out against this and that, I think it did much to raise the Baptist church’s “brand” in the world.
I only managed to see the news on CNN and replayed parts… I will look on internet for a full replay.