Whitney. Whitney. Whitney.

This is a hard post for me to write. To say this one is difficult, would be putting it mildly. My fingers are nearly too numb to type.

Whitney Elizabeth Houston has passed and I, like many of you, am just sititng here with insurmountable disbelief. Left with a multitude of memories.

As a little girl, blessed with the ability to carry a bit of a tune, Whitney was without a doubt one of my sheroes of song. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve grabbed the nearest haircomb or broom-handle to belt out one of her hits–at the very tipy-top of my lungs no less. That was the only way to approach any of her stuff. In my mind, had I not been so young, I was certain that I would have been one of her background singers. No doubt. 🙂

I believe God gave Whitney a second, third and maybe even a fourth helping in the voice department. She was THE measuring stick. There were singers and then there was Whitney Houston. I know I wasn’t the only one who was mesmerized by the gift He gave her. Whitney meant so much to so many. We cheered for her when she was up. Prayed for her when she was down. But through it all we just loved ourselves some WHITNEY HOUSTON.

And, in case you needed a reminder of who she was and what she accomplished, check out these stats:

• 2 Emmy Awards
• 6 Grammy Awards
• 30 Billboard Music Awards
• 22 American Music Awards
• Sold over 200 million albums, singles and videos worldwide
• Only artist with SEVEN consecutive number 1’s
• First recipient of BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award

If I had to pick a favorite, I’d choose her 1987 release, WHITNEY. It holds special meaning for me and my family. You see, when it debuted, my parents and I were living in Lagos, Nigeria. The feelings and longingness for home were undescribable. Almost unbearable. We were so far away from everything and everyone we knew. But as I’ve shared before, music has always been a cure-all for me. And this particular album was no exception. Somehow it helped us cope and eventually embrace our new home. As I look back, those were wonderful days. That album was the soundtrack for every cookout and houseparty my folks threw; every West African road-trip we took; and even the bonding agent between me and several of my life-long friends. (you know who you are. Much love to each of you.)

Whitney. Whitney. Whitney. You will forever be missed.

So there you have it. Now you know what Whitney has meant to me. I know we all have Whitney stories. Thank you for allowing me to share mine with you. Maybe you’ll share yours with me too.

Until Next Time…I hope you can still HEAR Whitney singing in your ear, like she’s singing in mine!

-TL

Whitney Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012)