RIP Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul

Posting this one again because I love the song so much:



Rest with the angels, beautiful lady.

She was amazing... what a powerhouse voice. Her songs will live on.

Yep, it's a huge loss. Not my kind of music, but it was impossible not to respect her talent. Nobody's going to be able to replace her.

I got to see her live at Ravinia about 15 years ago. She was so soulful and talented.

Her 1st number 1 hit and with the Swampers of Muscle Shoals Alabama.
From a era where you had to be able to sing if you were going to call yourself a singer. No AutoTune needed.

It was a time where talent ruled, and it was not a time where cute little girls being celebrities with no innate talent who hid behind technology hid their utter lack of that talent. One of the reason I enjoy Lady Gaga is her piano playing as she sings......The queen of soul mastered this with such talent. Sadly to say when I saw her live, I took her talent for granted, but in the last 15 years there is such a void of this natural powerful talent, I simply missed the boat.....it was no big deal and she was such an institution that you just thought she was always going to be there. Watching Don Lemon who became friends with her tonight was a powerful evening of her talented contemporaries testifying to that talent. I have a friend who lived in Detroit until 1968 who is an avid Trump supporter who worships the ground this lady stood. She will be missed, but I realize all these talented people are passing, and there are few female artists who will have such a soulful impact on music. I am so please when I truly find the music of someone like Gaga.....and you realize there will always be talent which will rise to the top.

Love this one

Bob would love this.

A wonderful iconic lady.

Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul,” Dies of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Cancer. ... They develop from the abnormal growth of endocrine (hormone-producing) cells in the pancreas called islet cells

My cancer has gotten one more person. Smokey Robinson spoke of how horrible her last two weeks were.......I know.....I was there in June, but for the grace of God I would have already joined her, but for the European PRRT treatment. With the FDA approving the procedure only in January, I doubt she had a research hospital which had approval for the same, and she simply ran out of time. So sad, but her music will live forever.

2seaoat wrote:Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul,” Dies of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Cancer. ... They develop from the abnormal growth of endocrine (hormone-producing) cells in the pancreas called islet cells

My cancer has gotten one more person.  Smokey Robinson spoke of how horrible  her last two weeks were.......I know.....I was there in June, but for the grace of God I would have already joined her, but for the European PRRT treatment.  With the FDA approving the procedure only in January, I doubt she had a research hospital which had approval for the same, and she simply ran out of time.  So sad, but her music will live forever.

Stop saying "but for the grace of God." He certainly didn't delay your life over Aretha's. I don't know why people say that silly stuff?

Stop saying "but for the grace of God." He certainly didn't delay your life over Aretha's. I don't know why people say that silly stuff?


People have different beliefs in regard to the concept of God. Some do not believe in the concept. Others believe and try to define the concept of God, but may had different beliefs than those who also believe but conceptualize differently.

It is simple for me. I believe there is a unitary concept of God. I believe Matthew 6 is the best nexus in the bible to that concept. Under that concept I have a connection with a general concept of God. It does not require someone else to define that concept, nor does it mean I am even scientifically able to define that connection at this level of technology and man's learning at this time. I believe God is a scientific fact which is simply unconfirmed at this time, but the concept is solid as Einsteins theories and concepts, some yet confirmed with our level of knowledge.

I also do not believe that things are entirely random, and to the extent that I am unable to scientifically describe that connection, it is my faith which desires that this concepts grace, which I am a firm believer that some amount of actions in our lives are predestined and really beyond our control, both at the scientific and faith level which are not polar opposite.

Ok, you can believe what you want but to say God graced you and not other people is really a little much and a slap in the face to other people. It's just a silly belief you are better than others.

Ok, you can believe what you want but to say God graced you and not other people is really a little much and a slap in the face to other people. It's just a silly belief you are better than others.


I never said what you have attributed me saying. All people die. When I die which I most certainly will, who will say it is a slap in my face because some other cancer patient lived longer. Rather, if one believes that there is something more than random occurrences, I am happy then for the reasons I am still here.

I probably get your drift having lived in Alabama where there is an air of superiority by those who attend church, and in fact often do think they are better than others. I tend to be looked down on by agnostics and people of faith because Matthew 6 rejects the hypocrisy of religion, but does not for a second deny the concept of God. It appears however, that you have been hurt by that very hypocrisy and want to now declare the same to be silly.

2seaoat wrote:When I die which I most certainly will, who will say it is a slap in my face because some other cancer patient lived longer.

I don't think that's what Viking is saying at all, Sea.  She's saying that if YOU live longer than some OTHER cancer patient, and then say (as you seemed to, in so many words as to Aretha) that you were blessed by the "grace of God" to still be living whereas she isn't, that's as much as saying that you were favored by God over Aretha.  And I totally agree that expressing such a sentiment is hurtful -- too late to hurt the deceased, but hurtful to the survivors.  It's actually worse than silly.

Honestly, it virtually knocks the breath out of me whenever I hear survivors of disasters or mass shootings, for instance, say they were blessed, and/or that God was looking out for them.  Really?? How insensitive is that?? Because what about those who died or were seriously injured?  They were NOT looked out for or otherwise favored???  Can you not see how that might deeply wound others??  

I'm sorry but I think it's terrible to say such things.  I don't usually stick my nose into others' beliefs, but as to this issue I've been very vocal before and likely will again:    Believe whatever you want, and I realize you considered what you said to be an item of faith, but please consider the feelings of others when you speak.  It matters.

Viking has this right.

The problem with that paradigm is that we all die. It could not be any simpler, and in fact, I will find it a blessing to have the last couple of weeks of my life shortened, because I am now completely comfortable with what I am going to face, and certainly I have no resentment or feel hurt because I will die and others will live. That is not hurtful, and certainly having known people who have lost children, I doubt they want to hear about God's blessings, but that is more about accepting time and the limited amount we are allocated whether that is ten years or ninety years, the blessing is no less getting that time.

If you look at the science of life, conception, birth, and death, there is one consistent element.....time. I spent ten wonderful years with my father and I agree that at ten years old I felt cheated, that some how the essence of our being is some how diminished by the amount of time we spend on earth. I do not believe that is the case with a unitary concept of God, and that time does not begin at birth or end at death, but the connection with the concept of God is infinite as to both time and space. My inability to confirm the same while I am alive, has been the challenge to theologians for ages. So no, I have been blessed to still be alive today, and I will be blessed upon my ultimate demise because like the theory of relativity time and space are relative and infinite, and hopefully the day will come when both science and faith will meld, and blessings will not be understood in the abstract, but within Man's rationality.

You still entirely miss the point, but at least it's comforting to see that some things never change.

RealLindaL wrote:

2seaoat wrote:When I die which I most certainly will, who will say it is a slap in my face because some other cancer patient lived longer.

I don't think that's what Viking is saying at all, Sea.  She's saying that if YOU live longer than some OTHER cancer patient, and then say (as you seemed to, in so many words as to Aretha) that you were blessed by the "grace of God" to still be living whereas she isn't, that's as much as saying that you were favored by God over Aretha.  And I totally agree that expressing such a sentiment is hurtful -- too late to hurt the deceased, but hurtful to the survivors.  It's actually worse than silly.

Honestly, it virtually knocks the breath out of me whenever I hear survivors of disasters or mass shootings, for instance, say they were blessed, and/or that God was looking out for them.  Really?? How insensitive is that?? Because what about those who died or were seriously injured?  They were NOT looked out for or otherwise favored???  Can you not see how that might deeply wound others??  

I'm sorry but I think it's terrible to say such things.  I don't usually stick my nose into others' beliefs, but as to this issue I've been very vocal before and likely will again:    Believe whatever you want, and I realize you considered what you said to be an item of faith, but please consider the feelings of others when you speak.  It matters.

Viking has this right.

Thank you Linda! That's exactly what I'm saying. It bugs the shit out of me to hear people say that not because it hurts me but it's so ridiculous and false and of a superiority as Oatie says... that's it's appalling. I think of the 1.6 million Jews, cancer kids, murder victims and on and on when somebody says that. I used to have a director when I worked in the welfare dept. in Alabama who would come on the speaker every morning and say "There but for the grace of God go I"after she reported the daily gossip. It was sickening!

2seaoat wrote:The problem with that paradigm is that we all die.  It could not be any simpler, and in fact, I will find it a blessing to have the last couple of weeks of my life shortened, because I am now completely comfortable with what I am going to face, and certainly I have no resentment or feel hurt because I will die and others will live.  That is not hurtful, and certainly having known people who have lost children, I doubt they want to hear about God's blessings, but that is more about accepting time and the limited amount we are allocated whether that is ten years or ninety years, the blessing is no less getting that time.

If you look at the science of life, conception, birth, and death, there is one consistent element.....time.   I spent ten wonderful years with my father and I agree that at ten years old I felt cheated, that some how the essence of our being is some how diminished by the amount of time we spend on earth.  I do not believe that is the case with a unitary concept of God, and that time does not begin at birth or end at death, but the connection with the concept of God is infinite as to both time and space.  My inability to confirm the same while I am alive, has been the challenge to theologians for ages.  So no, I have been blessed to still be alive today, and I will be blessed upon my ultimate demise because like the theory of relativity time and space are relative and infinite, and hopefully the day will come when both science and faith will meld, and blessings will not be understood in the abstract, but within Man's rationality.

A bunch of irrelevent bullshit. You're no more blessed than anyone else other than you had good insurance. Nothing to do w/ God.

Vikingwoman wrote:
Thank you Linda! That's exactly what I'm saying. It bugs the shit out of me to hear people say that not because it hurts me but it's so ridiculous and false and of a superiority as Oatie says... that's it's appalling. I think of the 1.6 million Jews

You're welcome, Viking -- but only 1.6 million Jews? What about the other 4.4 million? Just wondering why that figure....

Six million on the Jews, and trillions upon trillions on life that never was realized by the simple monthly cycle where a human egg is disposed by natural design.....where is the horror of the same? No, death is certain and it is not by chance or luck that predestination occurs. I am blessed. That is not a statement of superiority, but one of recognition that there are some statistically off the wall things happening with my cancer which has allowed me to live over ten years, as I set records for the highest levels of hormone levels at Northwestern where I should be dead , it is all science, and all things have a cause and effect, but you limit yourself when you with disdain reject those things beyond your sensations and perception do not understand, nor I.......but to deny the existence of the concept of God is a nice teddy bear you can take to bed at night. We superior people of faith shall hope you find comfort.

If it's all science Oatie why are you saying but for the grace of God? You're not making any sense here? I don't have a disdain for God. I have a disdain for people making up shit like God intervened and saved them like they were more worthy than someone else.

RealLindaL wrote:

Vikingwoman wrote:
Thank you Linda! That's exactly what I'm saying. It bugs the shit out of me to hear people say that not because it hurts me but it's so ridiculous and false and of a superiority as Oatie says... that's it's appalling. I think of the 1.6 million Jews

You're welcome, Viking -- but only 1.6 million Jews?  What about the other 4.4 million?  Just wondering why that figure....

That's the 1.6 million Jews who went to the gas chambers who weren't saved while praying to God while people like Oatie were blessed.

Will I be any less blessed when I am dead and you are alive? Fearful children who fear that they have little control in their fate....I accept my fate and feel very very very blessed that although I lack control, all the objective evidence point to a unitary god, and not one person can prove the same wrong. your fear cannot accept that I am happy despite the cards I have been dealt. You equate peace of mind and acceptance of reality as not being rational. I would tender that fear, anger, and resentment against those who possess a faith based belief system is based upon the hypocrisy of religion which Matthew 6 clearly recognizes and warns. You do not need stupid people telling you about things you cannot confirm with your senses, and therefore you assume that faith correlates with stupid. It does not, but there are stupid people who have in your life made you angry. I am not angry in your lack of faith, or even people who stand up and spew nonsense in the name of god.......hypocrites all, and simply believe that if I strive to do good in my life, I shall have no fear of death and what may lie beyond.