Dearest Whitney,
Another week has passed with you no longer here. I must say that in mourning, I'm clinging to the one's who are coping with your loss too. I've met so many fans of yours from all over the world, and the general tone is consistant, we all love and miss you very badly. Your light was mesmerizing, and it will never flicker out. BET continues to air their Awards show from last week, your tribute was the highlight, in watching the segment, it's very bitter sweet, no one can sing like you, and no one sings your songs as complete and full belted like you did, though I can appreciate their attempts, because like me, they are missing you too. Thanks for being my rock for over 28 years, I only wished that I couldve return the favor. I know that we'll meet again, this I'm certain of. Until next week, I'm wishing you a peaceful journey my princess.
Whitney I will always love you and you will always be my baby.
ReplyDeleteKelli
I love her so much, it's almost been five months, and I still cry for her soul. I hope that she's at peace like she deserves.
DeleteRIP
Tyrus
She's forever in my heart, and that wont ever change. How amazingly lovely was her gift.
ReplyDeleteKimberly
incredible Whitney. Love Love Love
ReplyDeleteWhit I'm still missing you
ReplyDeleteI read this incredible article that actor Jim Belushi wrote, which I'm compelled to share.
ReplyDeleteWhen Whitney Houston died, I felt great sadness. My sadness, of course, was about our collective loss — when you listened to this nightingale sing, your body would drop into a chair, your head would tilt up, a small smile would creep across your face, and inside you knew that there was a higher power somewhere: gifted, beautiful, spiritual.
But the true sadness is for her daughter and her family. When it comes to a celebrity’s death, things are different. I am speaking from experience here; I lost my brother John in 1982.
There was a guy at a parking garage the other night. As I was paying, the man recognized me and said, “I’m sorry about your brother. I loved him. You must miss him.” I said, “Yes, I love him, too. And I do miss him. Thank you.” I turned to my son’s girlfriend in my car and said, “Not really. It’s been 30 years. I don’t really think about it often.” The only time I think about it is when people bring it up. But how about what he missed? He missed the Bears winning the Super Bowl (he and I were big Butkus fans), six Bulls rings and a Stanley Cup. He missed all three of my wives, all three of my children. He missed Tom Ricketts buying the Cubs. He missed Mayor Daley retiring. How about missing out on the cell phone? He would have dug that. But I digress.
There is terrific sorrow when there is a loss in the family, a hole that needs to be refilled. And most families can deal with it quietly. When you meet somebody who has had this kind of loss in their family, you can develop a long relationship with them before you ever know; it’s their choice to tell you. When a celebrity dies, everybody knows. You are constantly reminded of the loss. I think my grieving process lasted at least 10 years before the hole was filled with babies and wives and Super Bowls.
I remember when my son was going to school in New England. He was going through the airport in Boston; I think he was 14 at the time. He saw a black-and-white picture of his uncle John on an anti-drug campaign poster. It read: “Would you like this to happen to you?”
My son called me from the airport, bawling. He had never even met John. And I wondered, would you like what to happen to you? Be an international star? Be the first person on stage on “Saturday Night Live” in 1975? Be the person who brought deep belly laughs that release endorphins in us, that millions still remember to this day, in “Animal House”? Or reviving the blues and getting musicians who wrote these old blues songs paid? What the hell are they talking about?
After John died, the Chicago Tribune Magazine wrote a scathing and gossipy article with a cover picture of John’s face crumbling. My mom cried, “Why would they do that, Jimmy? Why would they do that to Johnny? Why would they say that stuff?” I said, “I don’t know, Mom… I don’t know…”
You know, I still don’t know.
What I do know is that with a celebrity’s death comes an avalanche of media, and in that media is most often another death — it takes a life that is filled with complicated talent, hope, success and drive and reduces it to the “story.” It reduces the portrait of the artist to a kernel of the lowest denominator possible, like “out-of-control addict.” And that is the portrait that people then associate with these fallen artists, which breaks my heart.
So when Whitney Houston died, quietly in her bathtub, the reason didn’t matter, just that she’s gone. Accidents happen, whether they’re car accidents, friendly fire, drug overdoses. Accidents happen, and they’re tragic. It’s like a bomb that goes off and pieces of shrapnel rip into the flesh of the family. It’s the families that need the compassion, because everywhere they walk, every day, someone reminds them of their loss.
Now that I think about it, I do miss him.
this article is such insight to someone who has walked the survival work. Jim thanks for loving Whitney and I'm sorry for your loss.
Deletecrystal
Thanks Jim you were very candid and frank. you gave us the readers more insight that we could have ever known. thanks also for loving Whitney and I'm sorry for your loss too of your brother. Lastly thanks for such pure honesty.
DeleteCarmen
finally a peek inside the real world of entertainment. this willl change the way that I look at Cissy and Gary now. Thanks again Jim and thanks Kevin for posting this article.
DeleteDaniel
this was a very touching article. we know never how celebrity ones are affected. RIP Whitney and John Belushi
DeleteLoving you forever Whitney. I still can't play your music though, its just so painful.
ReplyDeleteMykal B.
thanks for your weekly posts about Whitney, it helps me also, it's helping to keep her memory alive, and it shares with those who are really misses Whitney.
ReplyDeleteTaylor
I miss Whitney. So hard to believe that she's gone. Life bites sometimes.
ReplyDeleteD'andre'
Whitney why did you have to go away, I miss you everyday. You will forever be missed and will live on in my heart forevermore.
ReplyDeleteTimothy
She will never be replaced - EVER!!
ReplyDeleteI was Essence concerts this weekend where Chaka Khan and Aretha payed tribute to my girl, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. RIP Whitney.
ReplyDeleteJoe
style and grace was she. sad to konw that she didn't her true gift and rewards, she was perfect in her art, and it saddens me that she didn't know how loved and regarded she really was. this industre can be a very cruel place. I love you Whitney, you are always gonna be relivant. wish that you were still here.
ReplyDeleteBenny
she is so beautiful and Im only 21 since i was about 12 i have loved whitney houston. I still cant believe shes gone. smh but she lives on n on. May God be with her soul and I sure he is.... I love u Nippy , sleep on
ReplyDeleteTerrell