Naomi Judd’s death over the weekend has left my head and heart spinning. As daughters Wynonna and Ashley so bravely noted in their public statement, “We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness.” Yes, this mean Naomi Judd took her own life.
Right away I thought back to a few weeks earlier when I posted a comment on my Facebook Page about the unusual hairstyle Naomi sported at the CMT Awards. I said it looked like she was wearing a giant ice cream cone on her head. Yeah, not the worst thing to say about someone’s style but not the nicest either.
I know I wasn’t the only idiot making a comment on Naomi’s hair from that night but that doesn’t make me feel any better. A Facebook friend messaged me and wondered if comments like mine, his and others had anything to do with Mama Judd’s suicide. I don’t know. Who’s to say what pushes someone to an unthinkable edge to end their own life? But I feel bad about what I posted.
Naomi Judd was very open about her lifelong struggles with depression and wrote a book about how she overcame suicidal plans and ideation. I have no doubt her openness helped countless others seek help for their own emotional issues. Yet, in the end, Naomi’s depression demons got the best of her. That sucks so bad.
What’s so strange is the day after her passing Naomi and daughter Wynonna were scheduled to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The Judds also had a short final 10 date tour of concerts scheduled for later this year. Things sure seemed to be on the upswing for Naomi and yet, she still ended her life leaving her daughters, other family members and millions of fans heartbroken and scrambling for answers. The lesson learned here is no matter how things look to the naked eye, what’s in the heart, soul and mind can be totally different and not understood.
Back in my US*99 radio days. I had the pleasure of meeting Naomi and Wynonna Judd a few times. Naomi was always the brightest star in the room. She glowed with warmth, great humor, charm and colorful beauty. When I asked her to autograph her autobiography for my mother Dorie, Naomi signed it, “Love to Dorie” then her name. It’s hard for us to fathom how that kind of a brightness can be shut down by depression but it happens. So sad for all concerned.
I won’t take down that stupid hair comment on my Facebook page. Can’t be a hypocrite and pretend I didn’t write those lines. I said what I said and whether words like that affected Naomi Judd or not, I have to own up to being snarky with my thoughts. It’s a reminder to me and maybe to others to think better thoughts of others whenever possible.
So long Mama Judd. You’ll never be forgotten.
Love to Naomi.