(Originally published 9/9/2018)
Aretha Franklin’s transition got the world to reflect in unity as most celebrity deaths tend to do. Truth be told, we the general public, are oblivious to details and personal matters of the artists we hold dear.
But nothing is more shocking when our favorites die unexpectedly, for example when musician Walter Becker passed away last year, I immediately had to find a place to sit as I read the headline on my phone. I didn’t even know the man was sick, and again it stresses how the average fan goes about their own business. With all the news around Franklin, it led me to discover that she shared something major in common with other ground breaking artists, which also includes Becker.
It’s a bummer overall, but remarkably the strange tie that binds specifically is that their own mothers exited way too soon, either through abandonment, death, divorce, and so forth. The ‘so forth’ being that a young mom out of shame being designated as an older sister instead of being the real Mama. A teen gets pregnant so the grandparents including the teen will throw a lie on top of that. How is the lie not shameful? But moving on, behold who Franklin and Becker have kinship with.
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, James Brown, Eric Clapton, Bono, Maurice White and Madonna. Clearly these artist aren’t one-hit wonders and arguably each one of them ‘changed the game’ in their profession.
If anything their success should be inspiring to that young person where the realities of life came at a tender age. I can imagine God saying to them in their despair “Not only do I got you, you’re gonna make history in the process.”
God has allowed these individuals through their pain and sorrow to reach a mega platform very few have seen.
James Brown probably had the most documented issues of fury, but consider what this guy was dealt with from day one, being left to live with an aunt who ran a whorehouse. Just fill in the blank and ponder what that can do on a young psyche?
U2’s Bono sums up how the early loss of his mom affected him:
“…I thought the rage I had was a part of rock ‘n’ roll but the rage was grief.”
Like estranged mother like daughter, Aretha Franklin was an accomplished pianist to say the least. It’s an example of how children are subconsciously driven to seek affirmation from their parents.
My small kids are always trying to get my attention, “Daddy look at me…see daddy see.” Children are a precious blessing, and a gift from God. In a clarion call to all believers, the church has got to shore up families so that kids can get the true love and nurture they deserve.
Maurice White documented his reaction to receiving a special gift shipped from his stepdad who lived hundreds of miles away with his birth mom.
The gesture did so much for my self-esteem. It was my first taste of tangible self-worth. I rode that bike every day. I felt independent. I could say to my friends with authority, “I have a daddy, he lives in Chicago, he sent me this bike.” I stood a little taller, and I smiled a little wider.
With that charismatic smile White had on stage one would never know the enemy tried to kill his spirit as young child.
These youngsters being separated from their Moms churned up a masterful skill, enabling them to bring joy and wonder to millions worldwide. It’s a peculiar fraternity to be in, but no doubt God’s hand is all in it. It shows us how good He is when the inevitable storms of life come our way. So don’t be discouraged if you find yourself in a deserted place left on your own. Like my Pastor said in a recent series, “The promise land is on the other side of that rough patch.” Just be cognizant and ditch your shady baggage, or those demons will get back in your head will quick, causing worse confusion than you had before. Here’s the key, the baggage that puts YESHUA in second place in your life is nothing less than shady.
Much props to all parents doing their best to be in the lives of their children. It’s a crazy world we’re living in so hang in there.