I had to ...

I just got home from work not too long ago.
The first thing I find out online is the news that Whitney Houston had passed away this afternoon at 3:00.

As many know of me, I am a pritty emotional person.

I can feel so strongly for people I don't even know.

It may be weird, but hey, it's who I am. 

My heart goes out to her family right now.

I mean she has a 19 year old daughter, who is left with a father who isn't really a role model in any sense of the word.

It breaks my heart.

You hear about how Clive Davis discovered Whitney, and how her voice was like no other.

It definitely was distinct. 

I can't tell you how many times I have seen people try to remake a Whitney song.

People only wishing they could have the talent that God had blessed her with. 

Though, we are unsure at the moment what the cause of death was ... we are all thinking the same thing.

Drugs.

What a sad end to such a beautiful talent!

Sometimes I wondered what would have happened with her and her career had she never married Bobby Brown. 

I mean, we all make our own choices. Good and bad.

She could have wound up marrying someone just as similar to him.

But what if she hadn't ... would the sound of her voice still echo through the speakers of our car radios?

What if her vocals weren't damaged from years of drug and alcohol abuse?

I'm not sure.

I would like to hope that the outcome would have been different.

All I know is that I wish her family peace and comfort during this time. 

You know, the first time I ever knew who Whitney Houston was was when I watched 'The Bodyguard'.

The performances given by her and Kevin Costner were amazing.

I could see that even at 11 or 12 years old.

When she started singing "I Will Always Love You", I'm pretty sure a little piece of heaven opened up and shined down. 

I really do.




Thank you, Whitney. 
I pray that you have found rest for your soul.

Tuesdays with Colie Week 2

taken from page 55 of 'tuesdays with morrie'

Unlike week one, this week's lesson hit me like a ton of bricks.

The other day I spoke about how I tend to worry far too much. : /

I believe that in that worry, I start feeling sorry for myself at times.

Do you have those moments?

I'm sure they happen far more often than we would like to admit.

Every time I read about Morrie in the last stages of his life, it always seems to tug at some emotion in my heart.

It makes me stop and remember that life truly is a beautiful thing.

Mitch says that even for Morrie, a dying man, who could no longer stand, barely wash/feed himself, or pull up his pants thought that he was lucky.

LUCKY!

Can you believe it?

That seems like a bit crazy since we tend to fret over even the smallest of things not going our way.

I think Morrie was special, though. 

I hope only to be more like him. :)

Mitch once asked Morrie if he felt sorry for himself.

This was his response:

"Sometimes, in the mornings. Thats when I mourn. I feel around my body, I move my fingers and hands - whatever I can still move - and I mourn what I've lost. I mourn the slow, insidious way in which I'm dying. But then I stop mourning. I give myself a good cry if I need it. But then I concentrate on all the good things still in my life. On the people who are coming to see me. On the stories I'm going to hear. On you - if its Tuesday. Because we're Tuesday people."

It is okay to be hurt, to worry, to be sad, to struggle, to feel broken.

Just remember that you are alive and that you have purpose.

In the mist of what we face, I hope we remember that life is short.

(and. so. very. precious.)

Don't feel sorry for yourself.

Be proud. 

Be grateful.

Give thanks.

Smile often.

HAPPY, HAPPY TUESDAY!

much love, friends.

(PS) ---> Mitch said that visiting with his old professor was like 'a cleansing rinse of human kindness'. 

So don't just remember to be kind to others, but remember to be kind to yourself. 

If you have made it this far in your life, then you are doing good. 

Until next week's lesson ...

long day, folks.

 1.  a break from reading "the lucky one" (btw, i finished it -- so sad!) 2. four different angles of my room.

3. my lovely cup of cocoa - keeping me warm & making me oh-so-happy!

4. the last of fall (about a week ago) before winter stole it from us!

oh goodness, me.
it was a LONG day indeed.
i worked a 10 hour shift in the pharmacy today + i will be working all weekend and through monday.
i have to say that i am a very happy person.
i get along with almost everyone & i try to find the best in every situation/person.
BUT -- sometimes patients that come into the pharmacy DEFINITELY test my patience.
i honestly can not comprehend why there is such a need to be hateful to someone who is obviously being nice to you AND showing that they are doing ALL they can to help you.
& many times it is the same people.
they just come in in a bad mood -- as though they have the INTENT to be angry and cause a scene.
it frustrates me to no end ... and there are times i find myself walking away because if not (as i have in a few occasions) i can get a bit testy back.
that is not the type of person i want to be.
it is not always easy being the "bigger person" in a situation -- and that is for all areas of life, BUT in the end it shows our character to those around us. & i think even in the worst situations that our character is quite important.

& on the bright side there was much to be thankful for:
*great co-workers that make me laugh and are willing to listen and help each other
*nice customers that treat you like an equal human being
*having a car to drive home in -- and making it home safely
*my iphone (this is important to me)  -_*
*frosty the snowman & all those other christmas cartoons i grew up watching during the holidays
*a yummy dinner
*warm cup of cocoa (i've been drinking it almost every night!!)
*AND my internet is working after not having it for ONE WHOLE DAY! yes, yes ... tragic, i know! ;)

i hope you had a lovely friday.
& enjoy the weekend ahead!!

(ps. i plan to start a feature link every friday called: friday favorites. i want to share with you all the lovely blog posts i have enjoyed throughout the week + a few extra things that i adore! -- i hope you'll stop by & check it out!)