Whitney Houston was quite possibly the most talented singer of my generation. Her melodious voice was only exceeded by the passion and emotion that was evident in every note that she sang. Her loss no doubt leaves a void in the hearts of family and fans alike.
But for for different reasons.
Family members will miss her for a lot more than just her singing. Fans will cling fondly to the songs and movies and all the other appearances that made Whitney the wonder that she was. While fans have turned the page, the family will still be left to endure the long and unpredictable road that is often referred to as mourning. While fans moved on after the televised funeral, family members are just opening a book sure to be filled with many chapters of pain and suffering.
But a Whitney Houston leaves us everynday.
In Missouri, a 9 year old girl was killed ny a neighbor. The neighbor described the experience as " pretty enjoyable." http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-02-06/bustamante-missouri-girl-slain/52991278/1
In Bangladesh, a teenage couple tied their wrists together and jumped to their deaths. The girl had been forced to marry someone twice her age.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2101170/Teenage-lovers-kill-death-pact-leap-girl-forced-arranged-marriage.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2101170/Teenage-lovers-kill-death-pact-leap-girl-forced-arranged-marriage.html
Rioja Wilson has been missing and presumed dead forever a decade. She was a foster child, and therefore did not receive the attention that others may have. http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/02/21/trial-delayed-again-in-rilya-wilson-murder-case/
The one thing each of these young ladies had in common is that their lives and deaths received little or no attention. They died without news stories and cameras; their funerals were not covered on TV.
A Whitney leaves us everyday
Somebody loved those girls. When Jesus spoke of the parable of the lost sheep, He spoke of the good shepherd who was willing to leave the 99, and look to save the 1. He never viewed circumstance or asked questions; it was only about finding the 1. The 1, in this case, never has a chance to hit a note, drive a car or go on a prom date. The one never hears the voice of the shepherd, because shepherds aren't looking for her.
In life, we are celebrated for what we have, and who we are. But in death, things are different. Everyone of us will have a chance to be the star of the show, and every family will have the opportunity to be on the front row; to sit in the seats of honor.
Instead of waiting for the procession to celebrate the 1, we should all start looking for the 1 right now.
Source: USA Today
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