An open letter from Cissy Houston to her daughter Whitney Houston, written following Whitney’s passing, has gone viral in the wake of Cissy’s recent death at the age of 91.
The poignant tribute was featured in the program for Whitney’s funeral service and was shared by Newsafro.com at that time.
Cissy Houston, a two-time Grammy winner and celebrated gospel singer, passed away on Monday at her home in New Jersey.
The mother of three, who also had sons Gary and Michael with her ex-husbands Freddie Garland and John Houston, expressed in her letter, “Dearest Whitney: The presence of God blessed our home with life, love, joy, and peace. You and your brothers were the center of divine love, attracting God’s richest blessings.
“You were a child of God. We had so much love in our home that was truly from on high. You always gave without expecting anything in return, and our love was the force that multiplied these blessings higher and higher.”
The grieving mother reflected, “I never told you that when you were born, the Holy Spirit revealed to me that you would not be with me long, and I thank God for the beautiful flower He allowed me to raise and cherish for 48 years.”
Using the I Wanna Dance with Somebody hitmaker’s nickname, she added, “God said it’s time, Nippy; your work is done. The other day, on February 11th, He came for you.
“But not without warning. For two months now, I have been depressed, crying, lonesome, and sad, not knowing why.”
She recounted a haunting experience: “On Saturday, before I found out about your transition, my doorbell rang. I went to answer it, but there was no one there. It rang again and again, but no one was there, so I called the concierge to inform him that someone was ringing my doorbell. He checked the cameras and told me that no one was there.”
The letter continued, “You promised me you were coming to spend time with me after the Grammys. I believe the spirits allowed you to come after all. How I love you, Nippy, and how I miss you—your beautiful smile, your special little things you used to say to me. Sometimes you’d call just to say, ‘Hi Mommie, I love you so much.’”
In mourning her only daughter, Cissy concluded the heartfelt message: “I loved you so much more. I love you, I’ll miss you. Thank you for being such a wonderful daughter.
“Rest my baby girl in peace; you’re now in the arms of Jesus. Love, Mommie.”
Cissy was surrounded by family in her final moments and had been under hospice care as she battled Alzheimer’s, according to the Associated Press.
“Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We have lost the matriarch of our family,” stated her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston.
“Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives— a woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community.
“Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts,” the statement from Pat continued.
The Houston family has faced profound tragedy, including the 2015 passing of Whitney and ex-husband Bobby Brown’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, at the age of 22.
In light of Cissy’s passing, her family expressed in their statement that she may now “rest in peace alongside her daughter, Whitney, and granddaughter, Bobbi Kristina, and other cherished family members.”
