Jay Jay's Thoughts Your Reactions: The Greatest Love Of All

Jay Jay's Thoughts Your Reactions: The Greatest Love Of All: The Greatest Love Of All On Saturday, February 11, 2012 the world was shocked to receive news that musical icon Whitney Houston was dead a...

The Greatest Love Of All

The Greatest Love Of All

On Saturday, February 11, 2012 the world was shocked to receive news that musical icon Whitney Houston was dead at the age of 48. Houston was found in her Hollywood hotel room, unresponsive and lifeless. I think many will agree her light went out far too soon. People will debate the cause of her downfall and the seeds of her demise for years to come. As fans rush out to buy her music and download their favorite singles from ITunes or the internet, Houston’s family is left to mourn the loss of a daughter, mother, friend and ex-wife. This is a morbid reminder that even the “idols” that walk amongst are all too human, and too often just as frail, weak, fallible and needy as we are.

If someone told me in January of 2012 that the world was going to lose an iconic female musical talent, one that set records in the music industry, and blazed a trail for an entire generation of female artists, I would have guessed they were talking about the death of someone like: Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, maybe Patti LaBelle. I would never have guessed it would be, my boyhood crush, Whitney Houston. With that said, when I received the news via text message as I sat at the Cleveland Cavalier/Philadelphia 76er basketball game at the Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland, I wasn’t shocked. I wasn’t overwhelmed with wonderment as to how this could happen. Somewhere deep down I think I knew it was true and felt like it was something that was bound to happen.

After a few days my thoughts turned to what I will remember from the life and music of Whitney. I know that I will always have her early music as the soundtrack for my high school memories and my early romantic relationships. I remember getting ready for school in the mornings and hearing her music blaring over the radio on Power 99 FM in Philly. I will always remember listening to her song “Where Do Broken Hearts Go?” after one of the many temporary break ups with a girlfriend. I will remember the tears rolling down my face as I played her song, “One Moment In Time” in my Sony walkman as I struggled to navigate my way through Kutztown University as the first and only person in my family to attend college. I will always cherish her rendition of the “National Anthem” at Superbowl XXV in 1991, just a few months after the beginning of the first Gulf War. As Whitney bellowed out what some say was the best singing of our country’s national anthem ever, I thought of my father a Vietnam veteran and retired Army Sergeant. Her rendition reminded me of what our military personnel sacrifice for the good ole U.S.A. I later found out from my father that he even shed a tear while listening to Whitney’s version when he was watching that Superbowl.

If we learn anything from the death of Ms. Whitney Houston we may want to consider that the seeds of her demise began before anyone other than her family and church members knew who she was. Whitney was indeed given talent that few have ever had, and no one may ever have again. She didn’t have the voice of an angel, but I believe she had an “angelic voice.” She could command the emotions of her audience and take them on a roller coaster ride during her songs. Whitney was beautiful (Oh my Lord so beautiful), she was talented, gifted and she was FLAWED. Flawed just like the rest of us. Her demise began somewhere deep inside her soul, in a place we as adoring fans couldn’t see because of the money, the fame, the glamour, the glitz, the record sales and the adulation.

Whitney was struggling with learning to love herself. She didn’t treat herself the way she would want her daughter Bobbi Kristina to treat herself. She allowed herself to fall to depths that would break her heart if her daughter tumbled into the same deep hole. Whitney struggled with self-esteem even though millions admired her. Whitney battled with valuing herself, in equivalent portion to the value fans worldwide valued her music. As much as we admired, loved, adored, and worshipped Whitney Houston she was just like many of us. Whitney made poor decisions that led to even worse choices. Whitney had talent but took it for granted. Whitney was gifted and perhaps thought it was a gift she’d always have. Whitney was loved on the outside more than she felt loved on the inside and this I believe led to what happened on February 11^th. Whitney’s actions had consequences just like our actions as well.

I ask for anyone reading this to exam the words of one of Ms. Houston’s best known songs and greatest hits. Find yourself in these lyrics and then answer this question, “Do you have the greatest love of all?”

Consider that today don’t wait until Monday, do it today (Wednesday) on HUMP DAY!

“The Greatest Love Of All”

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be

Everybody's searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone who fulfilled my needs
A lonely place to be
And so I learned to depend on me

I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed at least I live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity

Because the greatest love of all is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all inside of me
The greatest love of all is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself, it is the greatest love of all

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be

I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed at least I live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity

Because the greatest love of all is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all inside of me
The greatest love of all is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself, it is the greatest love of all

And if by chance that special place
That you've been dreaming of
Leads you to a lonely place
Find your strength in love