I had this afternoon to myself, and I did some puttering around the house. I have been watching a lot of the commentary on CNN and HLN on Whitney Houston the last few days. Today was her funeral; she went home to the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, the church where she grew up and got her start. Whether a fan or not, the funeral was precious and endearing, as many gave tribute to her in words and song. Two stood out for their raw honesty and emotion; Tyler Perry, and Kevin Costner. If you didn't see the broadcast, I'm encouraging you to search out Costner's few minutes on his friendship with Whitney during the making of his movie, The Bodyguard. I imagine it will be on YouTube.
I'm not a big cryer, but I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. And at the end, when her pall bearers carried the casket, her recorded voice was heard singing I Will Always Love You. Amazing person and talent gone too soon. Anyone who watched this definitely had "been to church". And they said that would have been just what she would have wanted.
A beautiful and very uplifting service. Heartfelt tributes through out were very moving....I couldn't hold back the tears at the end, hearing her voice singing "I will always love you" was to me saying good bye to us.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed my friend. Every time I thought the water works would stop I would start all over again. I was amazed that Whitney had to die in order for the whole world to go to church together today. It was truly an amazing "Home Going" celebration.
ReplyDeletePaula
I did not see the service. Such a tragic ending though....
ReplyDelete~Des
Debra,
ReplyDeleteI too watched it on E and it was awesome...the choir when they first started was awesome. I loved that there were stars there to pay their respects, yet it was not a red carpet affair in anyway. I hope you are having a wonderful start to your weekend.
smiles,
Sheila
Debra I watched it this afternoon with my mom and we were fine until the end! What a beautiful, touching service!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think the whole world went to church today for Whitney's services. I'm so sad, addiction is a horroble illness that takes lives of young people specially! I watched the entire service at Fox News. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteFABBY
Hi Debra , I watched the funeral on Sky, very emotional ... i cried :( but she was very well thought of by lots of people worldwide, and I truly believe in my heart she is safe in the arms of Jesus ♥ I trust The Lord will carry the family through, especially her daughter.
ReplyDeleteKeven Costner spoke so well, I loved that film, and when they played i will always loved you i cried and cried :( Marlou :)
RIP, Whitney. You are free from all life's demons. Loved her voice. The best!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful voice, now singing in God's choir. I watched the coverage too, and just loved it. All of it was uplifting and a rejoicing of spirit. R Kelly moved people to tears as well. I especially loved Dionne. The flowers were so beautiful too. All those roses and lilies.
ReplyDeleteHugs my friend! xo
I held up real good until the "SONG" and then I cried like a sissy girl..Hugs and smiles my dear friend Gl♥ria
ReplyDeleteIt was awesome! When they brought that casket up the aisle and those guys lifted it to their shoulders... OH MY GOODNESS! TEARS AND CHILLS!
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed weekend, HUGS!
I think Heaven has a new angel that is healed and singing all those high notes again! I didn't see the service. I pray for her family that God will carry them through these difficult times!
ReplyDeleteI saw the very beginning and the last hour. It was beautiful. I love that her family kept it private and not a big spectacle. She was an AMAZING talent and she knew that it was God given. XO, Pinky
ReplyDeleteI went to church today too when I watched the entire service. It was so hard to not cry. I gave up and just did. So sad.
ReplyDeleteI will miss Whitney too. She was beautiful and has a voice like no other!
ReplyDeleteJust so sad to lose her, I didn't see it but I'm sure she is in heaven singing away with that beautiful voice!
ReplyDeleteI watched the funeral too. I cried when Kevin Costner was speaking. I didn't know his background as a little boy raised in the church.
ReplyDeleteI was glad to know that CeCe Winans is the godmother to Whitney's daughter Bobbi Kristina. I read that she is taking a close role in her life which is a good influence.
It's so sad. She had an amazing voice.
Hi I am so happy that there is a page that is not acting as though she was beyond redemption. I have been concerned with the number of unexpected deaths amongst people who have been taking antidepressants for anxiety and depression. Since the advent of labelling depression as an illness created, expanded and fostered by the pharmaceutical companies- there has been a rise in deaths.
ReplyDeleteIn "Dying For A Cure" the author Rebekah Beddoe chronicles her own battle with antidepressants and further mental deterioration.
Whitney's family had said that she had not been having illegal drugs for a long time and was determined to be well. Like too many others she listened to her doctors who listen to the pharmaceutical companies who put profit before welfare and safety. When a person reports negative side effects from their "treatment" the patient is deemed as "getting worse" and often add to and up their medication sending them down further. Even in low doses antidepressants are linked to higher than normal rates of sudden cardiac death. Many people I know that have had antidepressants have also upped their smoking and or reached for some alcohol to relieve the unpleasant agitation, insommnia,panicky feelings etc that are common with their so called "treatment". Family and friends of people on antidepressants have often doubted whether it was helping them and will cite that they would see them uncharacteristically suddenly have mood changes.
I believe that Whitney, just like anyone else, trusted that she was putting her life in the hands of experts.
Thankfully, although she suffered derision in this imperfect world-she can see Jesus.
I was with you in church Debra- and saw that toutching and fantastic ceremony-saw K.Costner, and all the other speak of their love for her. She was a wonderful star, gone far too early.
ReplyDeleteHugs,Dorthe
Touching post. I had not planned to watch the funeral, but the tv was on, and I was just drawn into the whole thing. Beautiful service but R Kelly left me spell bound with goose bumps. Looks like I left during a crucial part....we had to leave the house right after Stevie Wonder. Darn! What wonderful tributes to her memory. May she finally be at peace.
ReplyDeleteI feel such sadness and get moved to tears just thinking about this beautiful person and the short life she had. We will always love her.
ReplyDeleteXO,
Jane
my 12 yr. old grandson and i got to watch most of it, but not last part. probably a good thing as im a big baby. Costner did a great job and think he felt right @ home. he being Baptist also, seemed to have a bit in common with her as far as relig. upbringing. although i wasnt a huge whitney fan, she did have the voice of an angel......which she now is. i just hope her daughter is going to stay in good hands with her family, and not live out on west coast within the grips of the media and the rest of the lifestyle that seems to grab hold of so many. hope that made sense, because this whole thing is senseLESS.....
ReplyDeletedebra, i didn't intend to watch the whole thing but i couldn't stop watching. the entire service was moving and beautiful. and the message about "tomorrow being today" was profound. when they carried her casket out got me too. i'm glad i watched.
ReplyDeletehugs,
shelley