Papa Jeremy, Baby Iysa, Mom Aeriona, Nonna
First line from The Greatest Love of All
Sung by Whitney Houston (1963 – 2012)
Song written by Michael Masser and Linda Creed.
We offer this song popularized by Whitney Houston as a tribute to a star, a legend, who is responsible for some of the biggest music of her era. She battled drug addiction and we are reminded, once again, that addiction doesn’t discriminate.
When I was Head of School, I played this song for our students as a way of saying, “We believe in you. We believe that you are the future and, if we teach you well, you will lead the way. Your future is bright and we pass to you our strength, love and faith in you. Stay strong and know that we believe in you.”
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvPYXHM94DQ&w=420&h=315]
Greatest Love Of All
(the first stanza)
I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be
Absolutely took my breath away.
What a beautiful family picture and lovely tribute to a beautiful/talented woman who grappled with addiction. The reality and magnitude of this disease is so very powerful, overwhelming and indeed, humbling.
Thank you, Libby.
God Bless you and your family.
Nanci
Nanci’s right. The reality and magnitude of this disease is very powerful. And Libby’s right. Addiction doesn’t discriminate. I lost my son to addiction and Whitney lost her life (probably because of it).
What a beautiful family picture, Libby. I see three generations for our future. Let’s teach them things we know for sure and let them lead the way.
God bless you all,
Barbara
Dear Nanci,
Thanks for your support. You are right that addiction is overwhelming and humbling. I remain humble and grateful that today is a good day. My love to you.
L
Dear Barbara,
Yes, let them lead the way. We’ll join in prayer that the next generation helps to lead us our culture of the stigma, the silence, the shame and the secret of addiction. Only then will we make a difference.
Dr. MacAfee once met Whitney and wrote to me, “I was so pleased to meet her…she was a little woman, a great light too…I will never
forget her smile, and so, so beautiful. When the Big Book tells us, Death or Insanity…that is quite literal….she had so much life in her.”
My love to you, always.
L
Thank you Libby,
for this site. I’ve been visiting it for a few months and just spent some time reading through a number of the posts. Hearing what other mothers are saying, I feel supported. I am also touched to know that you pray for addicts and parents of addicts.
Paula
Dear Paula,
Thanks for reaching out and reading the posts. You are not alone. We hold hands and pray for each other. Let’s keep our families in prayer.
Glad you’re here,
Libby
I have been sruggling so badly since my son went back to jail. His friends and even some family are turning their backs on him. When people at my job said negative things about Whitney H. I should have stepped up right then. I didn’t, partly because I didn’t want to let the flood gates open. I’m praying for courage to speak out. I shared a video today of Barbara Eden speaking about her son. I have always loved her, but now I think even more highly of her. Thanks for this site. Libby. Traci
Dear Traci,
It’s hard to speak out, especially when our hearts are broken. We want to speak out with strength, but how to do that when our voice, our heart and our soul are beaten up. Be patient with yourself. Courage builds a little at a time. When the time is right, you’ll know.
Love to you,
Libby