Hello, Dolly!
We lost a national treasure this week.
Many of us, perfect strangers like me who never laid eyes on Dolly, let alone met her, felt like we grew up knowing her. She was an icon, yes, but seemed sort of like a kind neighbor lady or beloved aunt who’d always be there when we needed her. Instantly recognizable with that bright smile and big - uh… - hair, always bedecked and bedazzled, she was friendly, feisty, funny, flamboyant.
Equally self-deprecating and self-assured, Dolly Parton was someone nearly everyone could agree on, regardless of musical taste or political party. (Now that’s saying something.)
She was a rare gem in the entertainment world. Uncompromisingly professional - punctual, purposeful, polite - and unabashedly herself. Married 58 years. (How many celebrities prevail 58 months even?) Onstage and off, Dolly was sweet on people, made them feel seen… and special.
Granddaughter of a preacher, Dolly was one of a dozen children raised in a “dirt poor” (her words) family in rural Tennessee. From the age of 5, little Dolly was writing songs, telling stories, chasing dreams. She made her Grand Ole Opry debut at 13, introduced by another legend, Johnny Cash. Over her nearly 70-year career, she received countless awards and nominations - CMAs, Grammys, Oscars, Golden Globes, Tonys, an Emmy and some impressive humanitarian honors. But it seemed she cherished her designation as “Aunt Dolly” more than all her accolades put together.
Unlike so many gifted, successful artists, the spotlight didn’t blind her. It simply illuminated her signature wit and warmth to a world desperately in need of both.
It costs a lot of money to look this cheap, she once quipped.
Dolly seemed grounded, sensible, strong. Those who knew her best insisted she held fast to her faith and cherished her family and friends through all the ups and downs… and sideways.
Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life, she once said. Dream more, learn more, care more, be more.
That Dolly, she had her wig on straight, head on straight, priorities straight:
Love God.
Love people.
And that about covers it, Dolly would say in her lilting, lovely southern accent.
You know why I think she had so many millions of fans? Because she herself was a fan. She adored people; she leaned in and listened and loved. Didn’t matter if you were famous or family… or just the folks around the corner.
I watched a few interview clips today and I was reminded again why I like her so much. (Been a Dolly fan ever since “Steel Magnolias.” If you’ve never seen it… stream it. Now.)
Undoubtedly you’ve heard plenty of Dolly-isms the past few days, some poignant, others just plain hilarious, but all of them highlighting her tender heart, remarkable insight and unshakable confidence.
I’m not offended by all the ‘dumb blonde’ jokes because I know I’m not I dumb… and I also know I’m not blonde.
When someone shows you their true colors, believe them.
Any relationship is like a house with an upstairs; it’s got two stories.
Smile - it increases your face value.
I never think of myself as a star because, as somebody once said, ‘A star is nothing but a big ball of gas’ - and I don’t want to be that.
But, boy, did Dolly shine.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:16 (NRSVUE)
Dolly made the world brighter with her talent, certainly, but also with ongoing charity work and (quietly executed but staggering) donations to a vast array of nonprofits, hospitals and relief organizations. She was a savvy businesswoman (hello, Dollywood!) and ardent philanthropist throughout her career.
As a tribute to her father, who was unable to read or write, Dolly founded Imagination Library, a charity that has donated more than 300 million books to children all over the world.
“In the Bible, where it talks about ‘honor your father and mother…’ I think it means bring honor to their name.” Free books for children - and the worlds of wonder they bestowed - became her honorarium to her dad.
In an interview a few years ago, Dolly shared her daily prayer:
I pray every day that God will let me be a light in the world and He’ll let me shine and radiate with his love and light and uplift people and glorify him.
Her “huge huge heart,” as Reba called it, her bright outlook, hardscrabble hustle and incredible generosity were simply the outward evidence of her faith. A faith that spurred her on to love and good deeds.
Perhaps you’ve heard the quote, oft (wrongly, it seems) attributed to St. Francis of Assisi:
Preach the Gospel… Use words if necessary.
Dolly preached with her life. It was beautiful to behold… and will be profoundly missed.
“But the sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light, and is in the arms of Jesus,” her nephew said in a family statement shortly after her passing.
There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? ~ John 14:2 (NLT)
I imagine Dolly received quite a warm welcome in heaven Tuesday.
Hello Dolly!
Well done… and welcome home.
