Moments from Whitney Houston’s service

Well, I sat in front of the television for four straight hours earlier today watching every single moment of Whitney Houston’s memorial service.

I came away feeling like her family and friends had achieved something remarkable: they had restored the dignity of this great star who was  in danger or forever being a tabloid headline.

They made her a human being for us who, although she had her troubles, she also had a lot of love in her life.

I was most struck by the comments from her sister-in-law and manager Patricia Houston who was able to convey how Whitney felt about a lot of things – and people. She loved Clive Davis very much and they were so obviously close that I hope people will quit harping about his going ahead with his pre-Grammy party. No doubt he is suffering more from the loss than any of the people harping about it.

CeCe Winans singing Don’t Cry for Me was so meaningful knowing how close they were as was BeBe Winans singing I Really Miss You. R. Kelly’s performance of I Look to You – Whitney’s last hit which he wrote – was also very powerful as was Kim Burrell’s personalized version of A Change Is Gonna Come.

In the end, when her coffin was making its way out of the church, they played her biggest hit I Will Always Love You and it gave me chills.

It was moving, it was inspiring, and it made a lot of people want to go to church again I think. It also made you want to let your family and friends know that you love them.

Here are some of the highlights including Kevin Costner’s thoughtful and sweet tribute: