To the family and friends of Whitney Houston:
First, I am deeply saddened by your loss. Losing someone you love unexpectedly at such a young age is never an easy thing to work through. You are all in my prayers and I believe that your beloved Whitney is in heaven singing her heart out.
I was inspired to write this letter to you as I was at work and overhead a few coworkers expressing how upset they were that Whitney’s death was getting so much attention. Personally, I would think you’d like to be able to mourn your beloved friend and mother privately but the cameras, the questions, the interest of so many fans, they just won’t go away. I cannot imagine what this must be like for you; after all, you are still waiting on results to know exactly what happened to Whitney.
On behalf of the human population I would like to extend a sincere apology for the judgments being passed on her. Yes, Whitney experienced addiction, pain, sadness and betrayal during her years with us, however it is not our place to express our personal biases so obscenely in the wake of such tragedy in your lives. Whitney is not the first person to have faced a hard road. We often lose sight of the raw brokenness of our fellow humans because we see them on television, in magazines, in concert or on the movie screen. We forget that those with the “celebrity” title are just like the rest of us and their journeys are just as individual as anyone else’s. No one would like to see their loved one trash talked after such tragedy has occurred in their lives.
Whitney will forever be remembered by the general public for her amazing vocals and the songs she blessed them with. For you, she will be remembered for her laugh, for her jokes, for her hugs, for her smile, for her place in your lives and hearts. You are blessed to remember a woman that many of us do not know and for that you must be grateful.
Please know that you are all in my prayers and that I and many others, some I know and some I don’t, are standing up for your right to mourn your loved one without people bringing up all the struggles she had and not letting her memory be a pleasant one. I hope that you are able to find peace in the midst of chaos as you remember the wonderful things about your friend.
Whole-heartedly,
A Girl from the Michigan
