Elle D Hayes: February 2012

Monday, February 13, 2012

Tribute to Whitney Houston

What kind of romance author would I be if I didn’t enjoy a good love song? Very few people can touch you with a song the way Whitney Houston did. From her late teens until the day before she died Whitney was gracious enough to share her gift with the world and we are better for it. Who hasn’t gotten chills when listening to her version of I Will Always Love You? Who didn’t feel her heartfelt sincerity when she sang the national anthem at the Super Bowl in 1991 or her pure enjoyment of life when she sang Chaka Kahn’s classic I’m Every Woman? She gave a little piece of herself with each of those performances and that’s what separates extraordinary vocalist from the run of the mill singers.

There’ve been some very unkind things said about Whitney since the news of her death hit cyber-space on Saturday afternoon. I’m not here to debate whether they are justified or not. I am here to say I think it very tasteless to forget that Cissy Houston has to plan her daughter’s funeral. A chore no parent should be burdened with. I think it very heartless to forget that eighteen year old Bobbi Kristina Brown has just lost her mother and by all indications her best friend. I think it very selfish to forget that Dionne Warwick has lost a beloved cousin and Aretha Franklin has lost a god-child.

Be kind to those around you because one never knows what direction life will take. Don’t judge others too harshly lest you be judged the same way. It’s easy to point fingers and offer opinions on another’s shortcomings when you can throw the rock and hide your hand but remember everything that is done in the dark will eventually come to light.

Rest in peace Whitney. Enjoy your new position in the heavenly choir. I hope to hear your beautiful voice again one day.