Griffin Speaks

LENA HORNE DEAD AT 92

The legendary singer Lena Horne died yesterday, May 9, 2010 at the age of 92 in New York Presbyterian Hospital. She was radiantly beautiful until the end of her life. I along with millions of others grieve her passing. She began singing at the Cotton Club in Harlem at the young age of 16. She was the first African American to sign a multiyear contract with a major studio in Hollywood. 

For many years Hollywood did not believe that the country was prepared for a black leading lady, even though she was drop dead gorgeous. She had a powerful voice. She grew up in Bedford-Stuyvesant, but briefly lived with her grandparents in Atlanta. She was married twice. Her first marriage to Louis Jones ended in divorce. She had two children by Jones, Gail Lumet Buckley, a famous writer and a son Edwin who died from kidney failure at age 31 in 1970. She is survived by daughter Gail. She later married a white Jewish musical composer Lennie Hayton. That marriage ended in separation. He died in 1971. 

Lena Horne will be remembered for her singing and acting, but I believe she should be remembered most for her ability to stay beautiful in her later years. She refused to let herself go like so many older women. There was no secret to her beauty. We all know how she did it. She realized that the older you got the more you had to do. She also realized that maintaining an attractive weight is more than half the battle. When you think about it, ninety-five percent of the body is covered with clothing. If the weight is kept attractive then most of the person will be attractive. 

Lena Horne will be missed, but not forgotten. Ms. Horne’s beauty shall forever live on. When you are watching TV at night and get the urge for some biscuits and molasses think about how beautiful Lena Horne was at 92 then look in the mirror and figure out why you may not look as good as Lena Horne. Put the food down, get some exercise and strive to be beautiful at 92. Everyone can have a better body and be gorgeous if they would just work at it. Look in the mirror and if you look like Ms. Piggy then tell her goodbye and say hello to Lena! You can do it with a made up mind! What a tribute to the legendary and beautiful Lena Horne!!!!!!!!!

 In the words of my dad, “You must honor the chair whether it is sitting, walking or lying down.”

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com or write to him at P.O. Box 250194 Montgomery, Alabama 36125-0194. 

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