Goodnight Tina
Tina,
It seemed this day would never come.
Your joy,
Your vitality,
Made it seem you would live forever.
And come to think of it,
You will.
When people need a story of perseverance,
Need to hear about someone rising out of poverty,
Someone who picked cotton as a child,
But became a worldwide superstar,
They’ll remember you.
When an abused person needs to find
The strength,
The will,
The determination,
To leave an abusive relationship
With nothing but the clothes on their back,
Who healed,
Prospered,
And thrived.
You’ll be their example.
When then talk about someone who could set a stage on fire,
With singing,
Dancing,
And passion,
They’ll call your name.
When they talk about how a career is over,
But then they achieve more,
And more,
And more.
Your life will be a testimony.
We’ll remember your songs:
“River Deep – Mountain High”
“Proud Mary”
“Nutbush City Limits”
“What’s Love Got To Do With It”
“Better Be Good to Me”
“Private Dancer”
You never seemed to age.
You never seemed to slow down.
Then,
All of a sudden,
You’re gone.
And the world,
For those of us who love music,
Just became poorer.
We shouldn’t complain.
You were with us for a long time.
Just not long enough.
Take your rest.
You’ve earned it.
Goodnight, Tina.
Goodnight.