Too Soon :(

And if somebody loves you....

Won't they always love you?

I recall the trips to the library. I love music. Love it. It's been a part of my life since I was in the womb.

You cannot be the daughter of a woman with a "remarkable" voice without having music be such a huge part of your life.

So much so--that as I've said before on this blog, when I was dealing with anxiety and depression--I "forgot" about music.

I did not even realize this until the treatments started to work--what a beautiful sound that all was!

BUT--I have always sought after good music.

I also enjoy surprising people with the range I like.

Everything from Jazz to pop, hip hop to hard rock.

I have not listened to "every artist" from every genre--

But--I have my favorites from most....

But--prior to investing in the used CD stores--I used to go to the library. And I was like a panther on the prowl...

I'd search through every cassette (remember those?)

Every CD (once I got my stereo--oh what a beautiful day that was. Yup--for my 16th birthday I did not want a car--I wanted a real live stereo--with a CD player!).

But at the library I went through most every genre and artist (well--the clean one's--sort of :))

From Reo to Journey--from Tennessee to Boston--from Whitney to J. Jackson.

I hung onto Whitney for a good long time. Listening to that amazing voice over and over again.

She was the ultimate during the mid-late 80's and early 90's. She--although we did not know it at the time--was in her hey-day.

And years later, as a senior--singing "Greatest Love of All" to droves of elementary children--trying to inspire in them the self-worth enough to choose to not do drugs, or drink--or become addicted to anything.

I typically forgot what the woman who first "made" that song might have been doing.

As odd as it sounds--that line from a different song--and a different singer rings true:

"Re-runs all become our history".

I feel like this is a re-run of sorts. Too soon. Too sad!

I pray for her daughter--so much for her daughter (and mother). How ironically sad, that while others were celebrating the award show in which she often displayed (and was awarded) for her unique talent--

She was leaving this "side of the veil".

Thank you, Whitney--for being part of my history.

Even my mother liked your voice (and believe me--that's saying something! Although--she tried to sing one of your songs once. I told her never to do that again. She just didn't have any "soul"--like you did).

I'm sorry that your amazing gift brought so other's happiness--while it likely brought you pain.

Just like with M.J.--I want to recall the "good days".

So--here is one of my favorite memories. May heaven be with those mourning (so much mourning lately--ugh!)