🔁 via @ultimate.aaliyah:"Mariah Carey mentions #Aaliyah in her new #TheMeaningOfMariahCarey book "She was indeed our little Princess""
Wow....this was truly heartfelt! 😭💔 I've always loved Mariah since I was little, but to know how much of an impact Aaliyah's death had not only on her fans, but those like Mariah Carey!?
Just wow...this is why I always say to people that just because someone is famous does not mean that they do not go through the same things as us. They may have all the money, and the luxury, but they are human too. Mental health is so important! 🙏🏽❤
So I happened to come across something a couple days ago, with the most strangest thing that has ever happened to me. As a believer of fate/destiny, I truly believe I was meant to see this. Now, we all know Father's Day was exactly a week from today...and to my surprise, I happened to see a message from Rashad Haughton via Aaliyah.com who shared the most heart-felt memory, quote and poem I have ever read. Along with a song by Luther Vandross called 'Dance With My Father' in dedication to Michael Haughton. Being a Daddy's girl who is very close with her Father, I can only imagine how that raw pain feels inside.
It was also very sweet reading how Rashad's nickname 'Ra' came about too. Now I finally understand why Aaliyah would always call him that for short. :o) As you can see, family is very important to The Haughton's which is evident in Rashad's words, which you can read below. (Warning: Keep tissues at hand if you are emotional like myself, because this is really DEEP!) Thank you for sharing this with us all Rashad. I know you are a very private person, so to write something as personal as this takes a lot of courage and strength. Continue to stay blessed always! One love <3
"True Love and Blessings to Fathers everywhere!
The Haughton Family
"Father Honored"
The definition of the word father is simply a man who has begotten and
raised a child. I was blessed to be the son of Michael Haughton who
transcended this definition. To me, a father is a man who embodies the
divine connotation of the word. A man who guides a son and daughter
spiritually, physically and mentally through the perils of life, while
protecting them and their mother like a king overseeing the prosperity
and enlightenment of his kingdom.
My father instilled in me the importance of family, education and
respect. I learned how to treat a woman by the way he loved and
cherished my mother, grandmother and sister. Although he lost his father
at a young age, he defied expectations and maintained a marriage and
solid household for his family while being present and involved in every
aspect of our lives.
When I told him I wanted to become a professional wrestler he grabbed me
and taught me how to play basketball and I made the team the first time
I tried out. Looking back now, thank God he did that. Although I still
love wrestling, Dad knew it was not for me.
When I was rebellious he didn't simply punish me without cause. He
pushed me to become better, making sure I entered the declamation poetry
contest at school which I eventually won overall prize sparking the
belief in myself as a writer and lover of literature.
He exposed my sister and I to martial arts and showed me hundreds of
films. I now live in Japan where my sister performed concerts in front
of thousands and my life and love of the culture is evolving into more
than I could have dreamed of. It all began with the unique and colorful
mind of my father and the gifts he shared with us.
When I was still just a boy, he took me to see the sci-fi, action and
drama films that would inspire me to pursue film. He taught me aspects
of religion, philosophy and culture that shaped my vision of the world
and myself. Most of all my Dad loved me, with every fiber of his being.
And every fiber of my being is what is today because of him.
When I was young he always used to tell me to be "raw". "Raw" was a
code-word between us that meant to be a tough, strong and hard man so
that I could overcome any adversity in life. I have faced many
adversities, and the day I lost my Dad, only my eyes were "raw" from
crying. But now that I am older, I realize the brilliance of my Dad's
word choice -- the realization that "raw" also means to be tender --
having the strength to feel emotion, be vulnerable so that you can open
your heart to the world. Anyone who came in contact with my Dad loved
him instantly, because he was the most loving, intelligent, generous and
caring man in the world. Dad, you are my inspiration, my teacher, my
confidant, my best friend -- the hero of the movie in my heart, the
memory of my childhood, and the perfect adventure to come. And don't
worry, I will be "Raw" no matter what. I love you forever. We will meet
again soon!
Your Son,
Rashad
An Everlasting Quote A truly special quote from Aaliyah's and Rashad's Grandfather. For this day and every day...
"Everyone has a chance in this country now to get where you want and as
high as you want as long as you have the brains, that's why I emphasize
to everyone in America to get some education."
"The Man" Dedicated to Marco, from Rashad,
"My Brother, My Friend Always, Mi Hermano, Marco"
Can be strong, maybe weak,
But must always be proud.
Can be soft spoken or a torrent of confidence,
Never must be plundered beneath.
Responsibility, a value he must have,
For on his back are the burden of bills.
But his will to survive will never let him down,
He'll keep going until he reaches his peak.
He might be very tough, and extremely strong,
To be equal in strength with any other man,
There must be love and kindness at hand.
From nine to five he may work tenaciously,
He might come home tired and fatigued,
But his tempo will never cease,
For he is a man and a man is a man.
Through his life, his confidence may fade,
At times all empty his strength may be,
But to rise should be every man's quality,
Rise -- Rise -- Rise!
To come back strong with demand and faith,
With his fist brandished high,
He will -- he will -- he will.
Along this journey of complexity called life,
Opportunities and chances will come his way.
He is a man to judge right from wrong.
His life is his; he may incredulously decide,
When or how it may end.
In poverty?
In riches?
But a man knows there are casualties in life,
But a man knows things will come together,
But a man knows...
In the end, a man's age may rise in number,
His skin may gradually wrinkle,
His hair may eventually gray.
But the man is a man,
Who knows what kind of man he really is,
"For he is a man and a man is a man."
Rashad Haughton
Missy keeping it real as always. Facts only! ;) Most do not realise the influence Aaliyah had and still has to this day. I always say this, but no matter where I go or look, I see Aaliyah's influence everywhere be it in the music industry, fashion industry, billboards etc...The beauty of her inspiration is that she inspires both men and women. Now that's a pretty huge impact that only some are able to achieve. So thank you Missy for schooling these folks who don't know! :o)
For those who are not aware please check out the new launch of http://www.aaliyah.com/You won't be disappointed! ;)
"I stay true to myself and my style, and I am always pushing myself to be aware of that and be original."
I love the fact at how the main site Aaliyah.com has the very same quote I dedicate my blog to, as well as everyday life. To me, this quote defined everything that Aaliyah stood for. And she did so in the way she carried herself physically and mentally. Definitely identical to none...
Hey guys! I Hope everyone is well! Since I'm going to be a little busy this week, I wanted to wish an early Happy Birthday to our beloved, beautiful Babygirl! As it's a special post, here are some pictures from her 16th Birthday party, and a video clip from where the images originally took place! You can also check out a rare interview from her 16th Birthday which I have posted down below :o)
On this very day she was born, and blessed us as an angel, yet taken away from the heavens as an angel too. It's crazy to think that if she were still alive today, she would still be very young at the age of 35. Sometimes we take life for granted, a lot of people in this world merely exist, yet don't really know how to 'live'. And it goes to show, that even though Aaliyah passed on at an early age, she accomplished a lot in the years that she was blessed to live. So on a personal note to everyone out there, enjoy, live, laugh and learn from your experiences, and most importantly, make the most of the years you have. I shall end on a quote from Aaliyah herself...
Aaliyah:"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never the same".
