Reflections on the Life
and Legacy of Whitney Houston
As I returned to our
bedroom after a nice lengthy hot shower on a Sunday morning, my wife informed
me of the overnight death of Whitney Houston.
This sad and very unfortunate news concretized a longstanding fear I
suspect I shared with countless millions of fans of Whitney. Allegations about uncontrollable alcohol and
drug addictions plagued her for decades.
Each day during those tumultuous years, I imagine my fellow fans joined
me in whispering a quick, silent and sincere prayer that “Sister Whitney” would
receive the necessary grace to surmount her demons. While we continually enjoyed her music and
its enrichment of our daily lives, we hoped she would defeat her emotional and
psychological foes. We envisioned a
triumphant swan song returning her to the heights of her vocal beginnings of
the early seventies. In stark contrast,
we learned she exited life’s stage as a victim of a drug and alcohol induced
stupor while slipping underwater and drowning during a bath. What incredibly ignominious pauperism for a
woman to whom Almighty God gave the voice of an angel!
From the very first time
I heard “The Greatest Love of All” as my sibling and I finished eating
breakfast before catching the school bus, I was hooked irretrievably on her and
her music. Each time I have heard the
song since, it reawakens the acceptance, confidence and peace I felt that
morning. Parenthetically, as a
Christian, I realize the “greatest love of all” equates with “The Great
Commandment” (Matthew 22:34-40) which admonishes us to love Almighty God with
our whole being and our neighbors as equally as we love ourselves. Practically, we cannot love ourselves without
also loving humankind in manner that respects the dignity and personhood of
everyone. Nonetheless, I recall vividly
thinking to myself “This woman has the voice of an angel.” Eagerly, I awaited her further
recordings. Not surprisingly, I
developed a slight crush on her as her music paralyzed me whether on the radio
or television. Unable to afford them at
the time, I resolved then I would own every recording of hers someday. Given her legitimately characterized untimely
death, I am happy I achieved my personal goal by the time of her tragic end.
Tears sting my face as I
lament Whitney Houston’s demise and death.
It really hurts to see the irony of how fame, fortune and success rob
her of a divinely given gift. At the time
of her inimitable recording, “I Will Always Love You,” unquestionably she was
the best female vocalist on Earth.
Regardless of the genre whether operatic arias, solo pieces in classical
oratorios, gospel anthems, jazz or rhythm and blues, no one could match or
surpass her vocal range. Her
achievements professionally deserved superlative descriptions and unparalleled critical
acclaim. Yet, they were undermined simultaneously
by extreme personal adversities and character defects revealed publicly via paparazzi
and myriad media sources. Cumulatively,
these personal challenges yielded the irreversible loss of her voice. Beyond the pain of her death, it was equally hurtful
to watch as she tried to regain music’s summit.
It was dreadful to observe her ignorance of the fact that she no longer
possessed the internal gift or resources for the climb. It seems as if each attempt resulted in her
further descent into the depths of addiction, humiliation and despair. I suspect innumerable fans shared my agony
and angst as I said a long good bye to a woman who so greatly enriched our
lives.
In her death, Whitney
Houston teaches us how to live. Once
again, we regrettably learn from the expensive and excessive mistakes of
someone whom we love and greatly admired.
Her tragic ending shocks us into re-examining the true rewards of celebrity,
financial gain and professional achievement.
How does a person integrate character, talents, ambition and values to
fulfill his or her dreams and goals? How
does a person maintain integrity upon achieving “success” in whatever form it
evolves? How does a successful person
surround himself or herself with the right circle of family and friends who
will encourage and empower him or her to define and develop a better self? News reports proffer that a few persons were
in an adjacent room of the hotel suite where Whitney Houston took her fatal
bath. How could they have allowed an
inebriated woman to take a bath?
Notwithstanding the invitation-only funeral attended by a Hollywood “A”
list of contemporary celebrities from divergent entertainment, athletic and
business venues, Whitney Houston died alone.
One wonders whether any of these persons genuinely reached toward her to
establish a meaningful friendship that may have prevented her regrettable
ending. Each human life offers lessons
for all of us. “Sister Whitney’s” life
will forever remind us to ask hard questions of ourselves and of the people
whom we love.
However much I wholeheartedly
wish we could reverse time and rescue Whitney Houston, I accept she has
transitioned to eternal life. As she has
been interred into blessed rest, may she find the peace that eluded her when
she walked amongst her. Her incredible musical
legacy will inspire children for many years to come. From karaoke bars to wedding receptions to
drives down the freeways of our nation to IPods as we exercise and as a
backdrop to life’s many demands, we will still have the voice of this
angel. In death, she will remain as
unique as she was in life. Summarily, I
say to “Sister Whitney,” “Thank you for your
too brief sojourn amongst us. I really
wish it could have been longer. Were it
in my power, I would have subtracted the myriad adversities that impeded
you. Yet, they don’t overshadow your
incalculable contribution to the well-being and inspiration of humankind. Many thanks for using your gift to teach us
about love of God, self and each other. We
will always love you.”
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