Remembering Whitney

One of my most enduring childhood memories happened about 25 years ago in my neighborhood early one summer afternoon. Following a fierce thunderstorm, the clouds had finally cleared away, revealing a radiant sun and a huge rainbow that arched across the sky.

The old neighbor next door sat in his rocking chair, puffing away on his brown tobacco pipe while his two young grandsons wrestled each other on the still wet front lawn. Adults stood or sat on the front porches of other houses, talking and laughing with just a hint of beer.

Across the street, a group of children played hopscotch or jumped rope on the sidewalks. Other children grabbed hands and circled the corner stop sign as they sang "Ring aound the rosies." Despite that nursery rhyme's more ominous origin, it was full of life that day.

This idyllic scene seemed to go on for hours. I don't remember even one car going down the street that afternoon. I do remember a boombox blaring out such beautiful lyris: "I believe the children are our future / Teach them well and let them lead the way / Show them all the beauty they possess inside..." Yes, the ageless "The Greatest Love of All" by Whitney Houston.

Whitney may have left us for a better place, but her music surely lives on. And for that, I and many others will be forever grateful. Thank you, Whitney.