Whitney Houston‘s mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston, wrote her late daughter a touching letter that was published in her funeral program.

The R&B icon, who died at the age of 48 in Beverly Hills earlier this month, was honored in a televised funeral service, held last Saturday (Feb 18) at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, where she grew up and got her start as a singer.

In Cissy’s heartfelt letter, the 78-year-old expresses her love and appreciation for her late daughter and surprisingly reveals that when Whitney was born, the Lord told her that she wouldn’t be wouldn’t be here long.

She also talks about how she believes Whitney’s spirit came to visit her before finding out she had passed.

“How I love you Nippy, and how I miss you, your beautiful smile, your special little things you used to say to me and sometimes you’d call just to say ‘hi Mommie, I love you so much.’ I loved you so much more,” Ms. Houston writes.

Read Cissy Houston’s touching letter to Whitney Houston below:

Dearest Whitney:

The presence of God blessed our home with life, love, joy and peace. You and your brothers were the center of divine love attracting God’s richest blessings. You were a child of God. We had so much love in our home that was truly from on high.

You always gave without expecting anything in return and our love was the force that multiplied these blessings higher and higher. I never told you that when you were born the Holy Spirit told me that you would not be with me long and I thank God for the beautiful flower he allowed me to raise and cherish for 48 years.

God said it’s time Nippy; your work is done. The other day on February 11th He came for you. But not without warning. For two months now I have been depressed, crying, lonesome and sad not knowing why.

On Saturday, before I found out about your transition, my doorbell rang. I went to answer it but there was no one there. It rang again and again, no one was there so I called the concierge to tell him someone was ringing my doorbell. He checked the cameras and told me that no one was there. You promised me you were coming to spend time with me after the Grammys. I believe the spirits allowed you to come after all.

How I love you Nippy and how I miss you, your beautiful smile, your special little things you used to say to me and sometimes you’d call just to say “hi Mommie, I love you so much,” I loved you so much more.

I love you,
I’ll miss you,

Thank you for being such a wonderful daughter.

Rest my baby girl in Peace, you’re now in the arms of Jesus.

Love, Mommie

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