The holidays are a time to reflect on the good in our lives and appreciate all that we have, but for those who are struggling or grieving a loved one, the season can also bring on feelings of loneliness and melancholy.
Even music icon Celine Dion is no stranger to heartbreak; nearly six years ago, she lost her husband and longtime manager René Angélil to throat cancer. But Dion says she has found the secret to allowing love to live on, and it has everything to do with gratitude.
“Right this second, love is so big right now in my life, with my kids, with life itself. I’m not thinking about a relationship and falling in love again. I don’t,” she told the TODAY show this past spring.
The now-53-year old certainly has a lot to be thankful for. Dion’s late husband is survived by the three sons whom he shared with Celine: René-Charles, 20, and twins Nelson and Eddy, both 11.
“Losing my husband, for my kids to lose their father, it was quite something,” she said to TODAY. “I feel like René has given me so much through the years and still today. I see my kids. I look at them — we live with him. We still live with him. He’s part of our lives every day, so I have to say that I feel very, very strong.”
This past October, the superstar faced another kind of loss as she announced her difficult decision to cancel a total of 21 performances through February 2022. Dion explained that she was being plagued with “severe and persistent muscle spasms” and was unable to perform.
“I’m heartbroken by this,” Dion said in a statement.
Just last month, however, fans breathed a sigh of relief after Celine’s sister, Claudette Dion, gave Voici magazine an update on the singer’s health.
“What’s happening to her is sad. But it’s not serious, otherwise she would have told me,” Claudette said. “Celine always confides in me and asks for advice when something is wrong. I know she’s in good spirits.”
We knew nothing could keep Celine Dion down!
