By Jamila Clay

This past weekend, the world lost an iconic woman whose voice captivated us for decades. Not only is the world mourning the late Whitney Houston, but her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, suffers the greatest loss of all. There have been many news reports of Bobbi Kristina being in an awful array of emotions, hysteria, and anxiety with the death of her mother. She has been inconsolable, and rightfully so. At 18 years old, there is so much more to life and no longer having one’s mother by their side can take a serious toll.

Her godmother, CeCe Winans, made a vow earlier this week to be “very involved” in her goddaughter. In a statement to E! News, CeCe says:

"I have no words to express how I feel. Whitney was not just a friend but a sister and I am going to miss her voice, her humor but mostly her friendship. She was undoubtedly one of the greatest singers of all time but she was also a great person. Please keep her family in prayer and the best way to honor her is to be reminded that tomorrow is not promised to any of us so love God and love each other."

Godmothers have a duty, whether religiously ordained, or invited by close friends and family, to stand in the interim, or the absence of a child and mother.  It is an honor and a privilege to be acknowledged as such a vital figure within the family structure, and CeCe is more than obliged to be involved and there for her Goddaughter, not only during her time of mourning, but the rest of her life. 

It’s no surprise CeCe is stepping up. In a 2010 interview with CYInterview.com, she shared that Whitney is ‘still my friend and my sister who I love very much.’” Back in 1996, the pair released a song together on the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack entitled: "Count on Me." Seems Whitney could count on her friend CeCe.

Aretha Franklin, Houston’s own godmother, will be singing a tribute at her funeral next week.

Photo: CeCe Winans and Whitney Houston, Count on Me record and lyrics promotional image
Published: February 17, 2012