So when I heard tonight that pop superstar Whitney Houston passed away at the age of 48 I wasn't really shocked.

Her demons were well documented over the last few years with drug and alcohol problems and erratic behaviour for the world to see.
 
I was saddened though. Her voice was such a powerful one and back when she burst on the music scene she was so full of talent, promise and an incredible future.  She rode that dream until the demons were too much and then the downhill spiral began...and as we watched I think we all knew that it was a spiral that would end ultimately in her death. It's yet another example of the horrible end that drugs, alcohol addictions bring.
 
So tonight I prefer to remember the Whitney Houston that I will always love. The one with the smirk and sparkle in her eye when she smiled. And the one who gave me chiils and goosebumps when she sang with that God given gift she had.
 
I'll never forget the first time I heard 'How Will I Know' on the radio...I was in junior high and my mom was dropping me off at school and the DJ on the radio said.."This song is going to be a chart topper...what a voice...what a song...it's Whitney Houston..." I begged my mom to let me stay in the car until the last note played out. I was hooked from that moment on.
 
R.I.P Whitney. Hopefully you know found the peace that you so obviously struggled with these last few years. You will be missed.