Thinking about Whitney...

When my daughters were young - back in the days of Cleveland and urban ministry - the sounds of Whitney Houston used to make us happy.  They were white girls in a majority black system - and they were down with all types of music from my "old time rock and roll" to very hip dance tracks - and sometimes, back in the day, Whitney's pop groove was a great crossover for everyone involved. As the years have ripened - and our worlds have changed - I've been knocked out by Whitney Houston's chops because she could sing in ways that moved anyone who was paying attention - and sometimes even those who weren't.  I still have such admiration and affection for what she does with this song...

Over the years - and during the past 10 years in particular - pop culture has watched sadly as Whitney Houston died before our eyes. There was not much anyone could do, of course, and her death didn't come all at once. But, as is so often the case, her demons when combined with her addictions finally got the best of her. Like countless other artists, there was just too much pain and emptiness to keep it going any longer. 

So today Di sang a vulnerable and tender tribute to Ms. Houston as the "postlude" at the conclusion of morning worship. Our music director played the piano and I played the bass and we offered up "I Will Always Love You" in her honor and in our grief.  Some of us wept because of the beauty of Dianne's singing. Others wept because Whitney Houston's death reminds us how brutal and tragic so much of life can be - how lonely and afraid most of us are - and why artists need to be connected in community. 

I think we wept, too because her death said to me - yet again - that sometimes, no matter how much love and concern you have for another person, it isn't enough. There are some realities that can neither be healed or fixed this side of eternity.  No matter how hard we pray and hope and love. We are not in control of the actions of our loved ones.

But we can keep on loving - and hoping - and praying.  At times like these, my mind goes back to the closing moments of this clip - and I give thanks for the artists who made it. Rest in peace, dear sister, rest in peace.