WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN? THE PASSING OF ONE OF MY ICONS.

My friend, Fayette Pinkney of The Three Degrees passed away on Saturday.  Unexpectedly.  That news hit me hard.  I’m so worn out by a recent rash of death and loss both in popular culture and to people that Jim and I know.   A bright spot in my life was dimmed on Saturday, and the fabulous Fayette will no longer grace this planet with her grace and her style.  I met Fayette when I worked at United Behavioral Health as an Intake Counselor.  The poor woman had to sit next to me and field every “newbie” question I ever had.  She was patient and kind.  After sitting with each other for a week or so, we began to be quite sociable with one another and a friendship emerged.  I didn’t know at that time, until one of our bosses said “I love this woman, and she’s responsible for some great music!”  That was when I found out she had been in the 3 Degrees – a girl group from Philadelphia that was famous for the iconic hit “When Will I See You Again (Precious Moments)” and the “Soul Train Theme Song” amongst others.  As our friendship grew, I was constantly amazed by how beautiful her life had been…about all the travels, the journeys, the fame, the relationships and the glamour that her life had been.  She was content to now be in psychology and happy for her time back then.  I even helped her look into some legal steps to regain a bit of her rightful royalties and such…not clear if it ever worked out or not.  We ate dinner together and on one trip that Jim had come up to visit me at my apartment, I invited Fayette to dinner to meet my man.  I had just gone through a divorce and was happy to be with someone who loved me like he did.  I wanted her to meet him, like a big sister would or an Aunt.  I still remember, we went to Cin Cin in Chestnut Hill and that night was magical.  She was so beautiful in heart, mind and spirit and so open to sharing tales of her life but yet so humble.  She was teaching singing lessons on the side.  She had a profound impact on my world and my life…we had stayed in touch for years after I moved to Tennessee and she sent me her church photo.  This world is a little more cold without her.  To my beautiful friend, Fayette…I will miss knowing you’re in this world and thank you for making mine just a little better.