Naomi Judd passed away yesterday at the age of 76, and tonight she was supposed to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame with her older daughter, Wynonna, for their duo, The Judds.
However, that did not come to pass because she passed. Her daughters, Ashley and Wynonna, could’ve stayed at home, but they showed up to honor their mother on what should have been a happy occasion.
Ricky Skaggs introduced The Judds, and then the two sisters accepted their medallions. When they were done with that, they each gave a speech. Ashley started it off with, “My momma loved you so much, and she appreciated your love for her, and I’m sorry that she couldn’t hang on until today.”
Ashley then went on to say that honor was not only their mom’s but also their sister’s. Then she went on to praise her sister.
When she was done, it was time for Wynonna to talk.”I didn’t prepare anything tonight ’cause I knew that mom would probably talk the most,” Wynonna said with tears in her eyes. “I feel so blessed, and it’s a very strange dynamic to be this broken and this blessed … but though my heart is broken, I will continue to sing.”
Wynnona said that she kissed her mom on the forehead one final time at 2:20p and hadn’t spoken from that moment until she accepted the award. Then, she said the last time they were together; they read Psalm 23 together. So she read it with the audience.
When Wynonna was done, they thanked their peers and walked off the stage.
My heart breaks for them. I know what it is like to lose both of my parents, and it is never easy. I admire their courage for going through with the ceremony, but I think they felt it is what their mother would’ve wanted.
It was the perfect place to hold a memorial service and let the people who knew and loved their mom honor her.
The Judds are loved by Country Music, and you can’t get more country than this.
So, to Wynonna and Ashley, thank you for sharing your mom with us during the good and bad times. Thank you for honoring her tonight in such a beautiful way. She is looking down on you with pride, and know she is at peace. She is why we say Rest In Peace. Because that is what she is doing. The pain is gone, and she is free.
