This Train Should Have Been Bound For Glory–This Train.

Just recently the entertainment world lost an artist. A very good artist. A beautiful woman with loads of talent. She had the ability to give us all chill bumps when she sang. Her offering of our National Anthem was nothing short of awe inspiring. She was a woman who should have had a long life. Her career should have been one that, when ended, left indelible marks in the sands of time - remembered, glorified and hailed for the brilliance of an amazing talent.

Poor girl. With all the gifts and talents God gave her, she could not keep herself from falling off the edge of reason. She seemed to live a tortured life which apparently is going to re-play in the life of a child she left behind. Watching the downward spiral was heart-breaking. I can never understand how people who seemingly "have it all" cannot or WILL NOT be happy. Perhaps it is because that fundamental source of human happiness has been pushed down so far and buried beneath so many pretty, shiny "things" it can no longer grow.

It is said she knew God and it was He who gave her a start to thrill the world with an amazing voice. It is also said she helped a lot of young struggling artists get a foothold in the entertainment world.  It is said she did many, many good and kind things for many people.

However, it would seem as she traveled her glamorous yet troubled road she forgot to take along the One who was responsible for her own ability and opportunity.  At any point, had she simply reached out and drew Him to her side, He would have shielded her from those people and things who sought to do her harm.

I certainly believe people should have their accomplishments recognized. However, I cannot get past the images of a life sinking further and further into decadence and despair. Stories and images of a person who seemed to have lost their rudder in the sea of life haunt my memories.  The expression “like a train wreck” prove true for me.  It is horrific and hypnotic at the same time.  Those images of someone lost and struggling have almost successfully removed other memories of this person from my mind.

There are so many people who pass whose lives are an example we can hold to our children's eyes and say "this person tried to always live a good life and died a good and honorable death."  And yet, they are daily made aware of people whose life and passing probably shouldn’t be made so glamorous.

I have to wonder when some people look at all the tributes, memorials, honorariums and media frenzy over the passing of a life wasted - do they think "Wow! This is how to become famous!"? It would seem to me the tribute should be made to how a person lived their life, not just because they died. It would appear a slap in the face to men and women who fight and die, with little more fanfare than a flag draped coffin, 21 gun salute and the mournful sound of Taps in the distance.

So, before you send me hateful mail, let me say this. I too thought WH was a beautiful, talented and amazing artist. But, she basically took herself out of this life by throwing away everything she once believed in. She is gone, but because of her craft, she will remain in our world for a long long time.

Today, I choose to honor those who pass without fanfare, without countless memorials, sometimes without a single tear. Those people who live and die - often without anyone really knowing they existed.  Who die with THEIR music unsung.  Whose accomplishments, talents and gifts die with them and their contributions are held dear only by the recipients of their generosity or time. The ones who pass with only their families and closest friends to care.