We Will Always Love You, Whitney

I am currently in Charlotte NC. The tears are flowing as I write this but I wanted to share my admiration of Ms. Whitney Houston. My love for her music, her beauty, resilience, and resistance. Last night I was leaving the Bobcat/Clippers game, and my phone started to go crazy. Then I got the news via twitter and several text messages that, one of the greatest, of all time, had passed. Immediately my heart fell in my stomach. Sheena grabbed my hand and helped me gather myself. Yes, Whitney led a volatile lifestyle for several years and drugs did affect her angelic voice BUT that's still does not make the news of her death any easier. Drug use is a sensitive subject for me because it has definitely affected my life. Despite her drug use and struggle to redeem herself in the last few years, Whitney still leaves a more than amazing legacy with us. Im just blessed God allowed us to have her for some time, he shared his angel and allowed us to hear and enjoy an amazing voice! Whitney has won many awards for her stunning voice and acting, she's been recognized on numerous occasions. She crossed over to pop(ular) music and never compromised her sultry and soulful voice. Her vocal range was nothing short of outstanding. I used to say "Whitney can teach the alphabet", having the ability to jump from F to a (high) B. She was bad!

Reflections....
Whitney was the only singer to rearrange the national anthem from its normal 3:4 count add an extra beat per measure. I learned that when I was 12 years old! She was so talented and she understood and had her craft perfected!
Growing up, the Body Guard was my favorite movie. In fact, I think my mom still has a VCR with our VHS Body Guard stuck inside! LOL. That's how real it was. I would watch, rewind, watch. I always had to blow in my VCR and that VHS. She was truly an idol of mine. She is the reason I picked up a microphone to sing, the first performance I put on for my family was 'The Greatest Love Of All'. Imagine a 5 year old singing such a big ballad? But I did proudly, chest stuck out, and mouth wide open (just like Whitney's). That young, I was impacted by her voice.
Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston were my favorite musicians for years. My cousins and I would line our stuffed animals and dolls up on the bed, they were our audience, and sing Whitney and Michael into our hairbrushes. We had dances and everything. We had the best routine to "I'm Every Woman", You couldn't tell us we were not singers, if you tried :D

I can relate to struggling with demons, pressures, and unexplainable pains. I think many can relate and thats what made her a kindred spirit. Whitney has always been a giver. She's been an consistent donor for many causes! She was one of the first mainstream musicians to be an public advocate for HIV/AIDS. Whitney was also an icon in the LGBT community. Loved for her self love anthems, beautiful ballads, and upbeat dance hits, Whitney was a force to be reckoned with.

In conclusion, her death hurts but I'm going to try to think of the beauty within the misery. I don't know about you but that saxophone solo and her powerful voice in, one of her most popular songs, her version of country song "I Will Always Love You" has always given me chills. Who else but Mrs. Houston can sing, isolated- nothing but voice, on a published track for 45 seconds?

I've been listening to Whitney for over 20 years and I am deeply saddened by her sudden death. Maybe now, she can truly rest? As I close this post all that plays in my head is Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" and that's exactly what I intend to do. Rest In Peace, Whitney Houston (August 9, 1963-February 11, 2011)

Xoxo B