I was in college at a gas station when I heard the news that Tupac Shakur had died. I was sad, but not shocked.
I was at work when word spread about the death of Michael Jackson. We all thought it was a cruel joke and remained glued to our computers and TV’s as the truth unfolded. I was shocked, sad and speechless.
I was on my way to begin date night with my husband when I saw the news on Twitter about the death of Whitney Houston. Again, I just KNEW it was a cruel joke. I clicked around until I saw a story on TMZ and lost my breath. Then, I turned on the radio. Their playlist included nothing but Whitney and that was my final confirmation. At that moment, I seriously fought back tears.
Never before had I had that reaction to the passing of a celebrity. I’m not sure I ever will again. For me, she wasn’t just any celebrity. Not by any means. Her star rose at a time in my life when I really needed confirmation. I needed to know that I wasn’t alone. That reassurance came when I was nine-years old. Being a super tall, super thin nine-year old in the 80’s wasn’t easy. It’s during that time when kids can be and are cruel. (I can’t believe I’m crying as I type this.) Looking different was all the ammunition people needed to make sure I didn’t have much self confidence. Enter this regal beauty. This tall, skinny chocolate woman who everyone seemed to adore. To make things even better, she never hid her relationship with God. She was a church girl, like me! She became a role model for me.
Over the years I had determined that when I grew up I would be just like her. I would be a model, then a singer. I would be graceful and poised. I would carry myself with such confidence that teases and taunts wouldn’t get to me. As I grew to become a young woman and her life began to be fodder for tabloids, I held on to the Whitney that I knew. The Whitney that I connected with all those years ago. I just knew that she would return to her former splendor. I held on all the way up until February 11, 2012.
I have not achieved her success as a model or a singer. It’s not even a goal anymore. What I do hope to carry on from her is the ability to inspire and encourage other young girls. I hope I am able to show them that they are beautiful, strong and worthy of every gift God has blessed them with.
I leave you with one of my ALL time favorite Whitney performances. When I first saw it, I recorded it and I’m not sure I could tell you how many times I played it back until I learned every word and every note. As a little girl, I had hoped to meet her and tell her how she’d inspired me. As a grown woman, I pray that she rests in His peace. God, help her daughter, mother and loved ones.
Bonus – Purely Gifted:
32 Comments on Farewell Seems the Best Word
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I loved Whitney Houston growing up…The Bodyguard was all the rage then. It is sad to see such a wonderful singer leave us so soon. I played some old CD’s yesterday sycg a beautiful voice.
Natalie recently posted…A Rant on Home Improvements
That was supposed to say such a beautiful voice. Sorry was looking at the toddler at the same time as typing…not advised!
Natalie recently posted…A Rant on Home Improvements
I really thought that it was just a mistake- since twitter has a tendency to do that sometimes. So sad.
Shell recently posted…Valentine’s Day Through the Eyes of a Seven Year-Old
Oh, I understand. I loved Whitney Houston. I feel like I’ve lost a family member.
Rose’s Daughter recently posted…Remembering Whitney
She will be greatly missed!
I have so many favorite songs by her.
So many people remember the BodyGuard & Preacher’s Wife. But don’t forget Waiting to Exhale!
RIP Whitney!
Latorsha recently posted…Remember when…..
Beautiful post, Cam. The impact of this loss is truly being felt around the world.
Amber recently posted…Whitney Houston Died Today and So Did Part of my Childhood
Such a tragedy…
Kristin recently posted…Monday Mingle: Color Story
I heard it at first on twitter I was like twitter killing people again. I still did not believe it until I saw cnn say it then I got emotional she was and will always be my favorite singer. I spent the entire night listening to all her cds because I have every single one. Now I need to find her movies.
kita recently posted…RIP Whitney Houston
A true legend! I was immediately in shock and saddened, it’s like she was a part of my family. I was 13 years old when I dedicated a song to a boy – Saving all my love for you – what did I know about love!
All about Baby Madi recently posted…DVF for Gap Kids
She was one of the greatest singers of the 20th century, she sold over 140 million records, and she was great woman, too. I really feel sorry about that she had problems in her private life.
Emilia recently posted…dental implants
She had a voice that was a gift. I doubt we’ll ever hear another so lovely.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell recently posted…Weekend This and That
She was truly an inspiration to us all. The voice of hers was so wonderful, I remember growing up, and practicing my vocal cords to try and do what she did (of course never really came close).
It’s hard listening to her songs now, but when I do hear them, I can still feel the soul behind the words. RIP Whitney.
KalleyC recently posted…“Cracked Up”
It was shocking news. My husband and I were in a cab ride home at the end of date night. She was amazing.
Kristy @PampersandPinot recently posted…Highlights and Lowlights
she truly was an inspiration to us as young girls… i’m still not in a very accepting place… this post was very beautiful
Nellie recently posted…Giveaway Winner!
She is my inspiration and I think she is the best singer and celebrity for me…No one can replace here…
raenze recently posted…mobility vehicles
I didn’t realize how much Whitney’s music had shaped my childhood until I started hearing all of her songs on the radio and remembered listening to them at various points in my life. Such a tragic loss.
Joanne recently posted…Recipe: Carrot and Tahini Soup
It is truly sad.
Barbara recently posted…Pinterest make me pretty
I am so saddened by this. I mean there will never be another her. I think the part that hurts so much is that the way in which she died. She had so many more years and to be taken away from us like that. I don’t know. My feelings are so jumbled. She reminds me of my mother and Saturday mornings in our house cleaning blasting her music. Its just sad.
Thanks for sharing sis! I’m so happy that my fellow bloggers are making me proud in their Whitney memories and tributes. I’m still not quite able to form the words.
MrsTDJ recently posted…I Have Nothing
To say that I was in SHOCK when my friend sent me a text saying, “Whitney Houston has died” is the understatement of the year. My reply? “Stop lying.” Then I took to FB, Twitter, and Google to make sure his text was some sort of a sick joke.
It wasn’t.
I couldn’t belive it. I’m still in shock. I can’t fully put my finger on it (not yet anyway), but I am so saddened by this. That night, I logged off FB and didn’t go back on it. I didn’t watch the Grammy’s. I shut down. And I’m still processing this. It makes me so so sad. And I keep thinking of Bobbi Kristina. I just don’t even have the words to put together to comment on this post…
Alicia @MommyDelicious recently posted…The Beauty of Embracing Who You Are
That’s it exactly, Alicia. I shut down. Once I heard I knew FB was not the place for me. I looked at Twitter and saw Questlove had tweeted something like “I can’t take this” and I turned it off. Literally. Turned the damn phone OFF. I sat at my dining room table like a family member had died and just listened to her music the rest of the night. I still can’t fully process; sometimes I still want them to say ha ha, fooled ya!
Arnebya recently posted…I Didn’t Know Her, But She Spoke to Me
I’m still not over the news of Whitney’s death. She meant so much to me in my formative years! Her voice is unmatched.
Mama Mary recently posted…rip whitney houston
I can’t and won’t focus on those addiction years many seem to want to harp on. Her voice, her music, got me through some things. Typical teenage things (and later, adult things), but meaningful moments in my life nonetheless. I’m with you in that I’ve felt bad when celebrities have died before. But I have never FELT like this. My mother cried when Minnie Ripperton died and I will never forget wondering how someone she didn’t know could have impacted/affected her that way. I’m sad to say that now I do.
Arnebya recently posted…I Didn’t Know Her, But She Spoke to Me
She did make all women feel incredible and acceptable in their feelings, good, bad. Incredible talent to make one feel that with her voice and the lyrics she conveyed.
Your post touched me when you said how felt insecure. We all go through that at some point and it’s great that she spoke to you. We should all have an AHA moment like that in our lives.
Great post!
Dora recently posted…Out of darkness thanks to a Diva: Mama Kat’s world famous writer’s workshop
So sad to loose a lovely lady. She had poise and class and tried so hard to go back to her roots. I love the BodyGuard one oft all time favorite movies. Great post nice tribute too. Whitney we will always love you .
Cindee recently posted…If You Give a Mom a Baby…
I didn’t believe it at first either. She had so many challenges and seemsed to overcoming them.
JDaniel4’s Mom recently posted…Read.Explore.Learn.- red sled Fun
I couldn’t believe it when my sister called and told me that Whitney has passed. They’re forever starting rumors on Twitter and trying to kill off celebs that way. So, I thought it was a joke until I flipped on the news and there it was. It’s just sad that we’ve lost yet another great person who was getting their life on track and had so much to live for still.
YUMMommy recently posted…Comfort In Goodbye
Whitney is one of the most admirable singers in the world. A lot of new singers idolized her as a performer and a mentor. Whitney is a big lost to the entire music industry.
karla recently posted…Happy New Year To All Of You And Hope You Like The Aquarium Fish Photos Here …
Whatever happens, Whitney Houston will always be Whitney Houston and no one can defeat her being legend…
Brenda recently posted…Jailbreak iPhone 4G from the shackles of limited features!
Whitney rest in peace!
I really hate farewell moment, because I don’t want to feel that I am alone again and searching again for new friends…
Trexcy recently posted…1300 number