In the days since the untimely passing of Whitney Houston, we have heard much about the legacy she leaves behind: her music, her voice.
Except that we will hear only the faint, distant echo of Whitney's voice, like the Echo of Greek mythology: a disembodied spirit. After a while, even that echo will fade. "I will always love you," we fervently say now. But always is a long, long time, and love dies like everything else in this imperfect world.
Whitney's true legacy is that she serves as a powerful reminder. Beauty, talent, wealth, and fame -- none of these shield and protect us from the stark reality of death. Even if we are surrounded by friends and family at the end, in the face of death we are utterly and inevitably alone. And no matter what great things we may have accomplished in life, in death we will ultimately, sooner or later, be forgotten.
For Whitney, "love" and "always" now have another, different meaning. Whitney, wherever you are, I hope you have at long last found Someone who will truly "always love you". I wish you joy and happiness. But above all, I wish you love.
I wonder about Houston's legacy. I think she did have enduring talent as both a singer and an actress. She had bad breaks with the limelight of celebrity, drugs and husband. Elvis is still remembered after all these years. I think Whitney Houston will be remembered for a long time to come as well.
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