I learned moments ago about the passing of songstress Whitney Huston. The news took a moment to settle in. Life slunk by in slow motion immediately after the headline was read by the news anchor. Shocked and dubious, I checked another channel. Surely it was an error. Wait…What?It wasn’t long before I was sitting and looking at a very solemn Piers Morgan discussing her departure. I informed my mother and sister, also fans from as long as I could remember. And then, I left the room. I had watched footage following the deaths of Heath Ledger, Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor and other well-loved entertainers. And I could not do it again. Not before bed. Not when I wanted a much needed ‘good night’s sleep’. Not when I wanted to dream of beautiful things; of happiness. Not when I wanted to believe that all was right in the world.
Moments later, in the shower, cold water mixed with tears. I began to have visions of the loss of loved ones. I felt anxious and afraid. And I wondered why death hadto happen. There are people who shrug and say that death is a part of life and we have to grow up and learn to deal with it. And I know others who run away from the discussion of death, or stick to the corners of a room, if they even attend wakes, because they have no idea of what to say.
The pain of mourning a loved one
I am not unfamiliar with the latter. Denial is often a tempting couch when your knees buckle and your stomach twists. It is soothing with its promise of a fantasy desperately desired. It dangles hope and often ensnares us. Who wouldn’t prefer to deny the existence of vile things in the world if denying it was to make it cease to be a reality for others, if not us too? If you fall and broke your arm, who among us doesn’t prefer to pretend that it is fine when we know that we may not be able to use the arm for weeks.
The demise of any individual, whether famous or not, may bring sadness to many who know the individual. But it is saddening on a larger scale as well. We need our heroes and trailblazers. They dare to go where we do not, and then they tell us the tale. They show us that we can pursue our dreams and they map out the way to the finish line. Whitney Huston was one of the amazing women whose songs and films were always a source of pleasure. She saw troubles in her lifetime but she managed to come out on the other side and win her audience’s affection once again.
She had the respect and adoration of music moguls, fans, critics and new audiences alike. She inspired many individuals to pursue professions in the music and film industries. She taught us that we could come back from just about anything. She will be greatly missed. Indeed, we pay her and all those who have gone ahead of her, a grand compliment when we acknowledge their contribution to our lives and take from them the fruit of lessons learned and success attained with great sacrifice.
