Collingwood defender Harry O'Brien has recently launched his website, Harry's World. Throughout the 2010 season, Collingwoodfc.com.au will be publishing various pieces with the consent on O'Brien.
Last night I took my Mum to the Whitney Houston concert. It was a very special night for me as it was the first time that I have ever taken my Mum to a concert. Mum just moved to Melbourne a couple of months ago for a ‘fresh’ start after my Father passed away last year.
On Thursday it will be 12 months ago that my Father passed away. My Father was the one that introduced my Mum to the music of Whitney Houston. Whitney’s music is one of my life’s earliest memories of music. I remember when I was as young as 4-5 years of age when my Mum and I would dance together to Whitney’s music. I learned all the lyrics to her music because mum would constantly be playing or singing her music.
My mother moved to Australia from Brazil with my brother and I in 1989 in hope of giving us opportunity in life. At the start life was tough, but Mum was tougher. We spent some time in the Fiztroy commission flats and Mum also worked in a factory as a welder to support us.
As Mum and I were entering Rod Laver arena she said, “Heritier I used to take you to places now look you are taking me!” I thought about what she said moments after.
“Mum I would die for you if I had to because that would be the closest I could get to repaying you for giving me life.”
When we sat down on our seats I could feel Mum’s excitement. As the lights dimmed she screamed! Whitney was not even on stage yet!
Watching Whitney has definitely been a highlight of my year thus far. It sparked a deep feeling of nostalgia to a time where life was so simple. I thought of my childhood and how much love my parents gave me.
When Whitney sang the opening verse of ‘Greatest love of all’ I became emotional. The lyrics truly struck a chord with my heart as it explained the way my mother raised me.
“I believe the children are our are future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be
Everybody searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to”
Whitney’s performance was absolutely amazing. Her voice was great and she carried a presence with her that could be felt from even 40m away. She gave her all to the performance and the crowd were so energized and happy.
I know that the media has reported her shows as being a failure and this attention has caused the masses to take the information provided by the media as the absolute ‘truth’. I find this sad. A lot of people in society are extremely shaped by our media and cannot think for themselves.
Click here to read the entire article on Harry's World.
