I imagine it's extremely difficult, if not impossible, for someone who is not from the United States, and probably most specifically the southern region of this country, to understand how we feel about Dolly Parton. And I do not pretend to understand or know how anyone else feels about her but it is safe to say she is beloved.
I say "is" even though she went on today. Doesn't make any difference. She is beloved and probably will be for eternity, at least around these parts.
You know what a sacrilegious unbeliever I am but I know how I feel about Dolly Parton and that is she is an angel. A real true holy angel who somehow got put on this earth to grace it with her voice, her songwriting, her benevolence, her kindness, her philanthropy, her tenderness, her spark, her energy, her tenderness, her sass, her laugh, her non-judgmental loving acceptance of people who so many "religious" people call sinners even though if anyone was religious, it was Dolly, her belief in goodness, in the power of reading, in her love of family, her style, her courage, her belief in the equality of women, and her goddamn fingernails.
The woman has given away over 300 million books to children all over the world. Do I really need to say more than that?
In my opinion she did more for the people of this world than Mother Teresa ever imagined could be done and by god, she did it wearing rhinestones and heels and outrageous wigs and a grin as big as the Grand Canyon, bosoms as big as bountiful and plentiful as her waist was tiny. And she never once denied having plastic surgery. She wasn't ashamed of it.
I remember when I used to work at the Birth Center here and would do post partum counseling and would get to the part about how, on about the third day the milk would come in for the mama, I would describe the experience as like waking up to having Dolly Parton bosoms.
And everyone knew what I meant.
I think Dolly's breasts had to be that big because if anyone who ever lived represented being a bounteous goddess of nurturing and love more than she did, I do not know who it would be, even though she never had children of her own.
And it's been just so hard today, having heard this news. I was having a difficult day already and then to hear that Dolly had died was just about too much. It's one of those situations where I feel like if I let myself really start crying, I ain't ever gonna stop.
I just told my husband that it feels like all the goodness in this world is being taken from us while the evil prevails.
"That's one way to look at it," he said.
He's right. And I am the sort of person who does look at it that way. I don't think it's a purposeful thing on the part of a god or the universe or any of that crap, I just think it is what it is.
I would love to post a video of Dolly but I can't even think of a song that could possibly represent who she was. She was country, she was pop, she was occasionally rock, she was bluegrass, she was...well, she was Dolly. She had a million hits.
I feel like REM in "Losing My Religion."
Oh no, I've said too much, I haven't said enough.
And yet, I haven't even touched the surface of what this woman means, did, or represented.
And so I guess I'll post this video which may be one of her most recognized songs. Whitney Houston did a beautiful cover of it but Dolly wrote it. Dolly did it best. And in this video, she tells the story of how it came to be.
Thanks for stopping by here on your way around this universe.
And here's a picture of May taken in Chattanooga, Tennessee in front of a mural on the building where Dolly and her husband Carl Dean were married back in 1966.
I believe that sort of says everything I wanted to say.
Love...Ms. Moon
I'm so sad, Mary. It really does feel like all the goodness is being lost while the the most vile among us just live on and on.
ReplyDeleteYou know what, though? She left us a legacy of grace and goodness as well a lot of damn good music and some fine movies, too. At least we have those.
DeleteI can’t seem to stop crying off and on. Losing all the good in the world was exactly how this hit me too. Felt that was about Jimmy Carter too.
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Barbara
Yes. Some people are just GOOD. Jimmy was one of them too. We are so lucky to have had both of those humans with us for as long as we did.
DeleteThere will never be another Dolly.
ReplyDeleteNo. There will not.
DeleteBut she did a lot because she had a lot. Each of us can follow that excellent example. We may not have all that she had to give, but if each of gave what we had to give, with love and generosity, our small gifts would have a tremendous impact.
ReplyDeleteThat is something that might not have occurred to us without her shining example.
She had a lot because she did a lot. That woman didn't rest on her laurels (or anything else, for that matter) for one second. I so agree with you about all of us giving what we can.
DeleteAnd she was a shining example, wasn't she?
In this time of separation she was a uniter. Those with very different beliefs all loved Dolly. She was brilliant in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteTrue. There was a lot of variation and differences in the people who loved her but on the subject of Dolly Parson, we all agreed.
DeleteThank you for this tribute. I'm scrolling through several hundred on FB, but you said it so well. The other one was something about bears. I'll try to find it. "Whatever it is that makes kindness in the world," said Bear. "She was made of more of it than most."
ReplyDeleteTara Shannon on FB. Author of "Rabbit and Bear" thoughts/stories. They are all beautiful. "Writer, survivor, mental health advocate, neurodivergent ... dreamer" from her bio.
DeleteBeautiful quote. And thank you, Anonymous. I had never heard of Tara Shannon.
DeleteI cannot add anything to your beautiful tribute to a marvelous woman beyond compare..other than to say....I was devastated to hear the news. I have loved her always...and to me...she lived being a truly god fearing and christian woman through her deeds and her love for all people. I will miss her terribly. My favorite song of hers has always been *Coat of many colors*....it makes me cry.. you paid her a fitting tribute, thank you
ReplyDeleteSusan M.
I think we all have a favorite Dolly song and it's probably one based on something we could relate to when we first heard it so very strongly. She was masterful at writing songs that reflect the true thoughts that come from all of our hearts at one time or another. And yes, they make us a cry. They usually make us cry.
DeleteDolly was one of a kind and the likes we might not see again. She gave her heart...and her money to help so many. Why did Dolly leave and the vilest of all goes on and on? She was a huge ally to the LBGTQ community. She stood up for what's right. I fell in love with Dolly when I heard her say....it
ReplyDeletetakes a lot of money to look this cheap! OMG! She could make fun of herself in the sweetest, most hilarious way. We love ya Dolly.
Paranormal John
An interviewer once asked her if she ever wished she had been born a man. She laughed and said heavens no, that she loved to primp too much. She mused a bit and finished off with "if I HAD been born a man, I would be a drag queen. Lord, I do love to primp."
DeleteI have heard Dolly say both of these things. Her LGBTQ+ fans were some of her most devoted, for sure. She just made everyone feel as if we all have a right to be here exactly the way we are. What a gift she was to this world.
DeleteShe is a true light...thank you for this tribute.
ReplyDeleteA true light, and a most special light.
DeleteWhat a beautiful tribute, Mary.
ReplyDeleteI was saddened to hear it on the news last night. She really was one of a kind. The world is a darker place today.
I think "Islands in the stream" is my personal favourite. X
I have a very special place in my heart for that one too, Christina. And I remember why every time I hear it. It still evokes those same feelings from me.
DeleteThe amazing thing is I don't think I have EVER heard anyone say a bad word about this beautiful, beautiful woman. Now THAT'S an achievement. RIP Dolly!
ReplyDeleteShe reminds me of Jimmy Buffett in this aspect. When he died there were millions of tributes and stories about him and I never read one that was negative. I've been thinking about this today. And it is an achievement. For sure.
DeleteAlways a light in the darkness. I hope her heirs continue her good work.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too, Mitchell. One would hope and think that they are the same sort of people as their Dolly was.
DeleteI watched that announcement from her nephew several times. It was just so lovely and heartbreaking at the same time. She was incredible. Just an incredible human being.
ReplyDeleteThe part about laying on a bed with plain cotton is what tore me up.
DeleteWhat a beautiful tribute, I was heartbroken when I heard this news last night. I can’t believe it’s 14 years since she absolutely rocked at Glastonbury. I think the whole world loved Dolly, I know I did.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to forget what an amazing entertainer she was because of all the other things she has done and yet- at her heart, I think that's who she was. A little girl who wanted to grow up and sing and be on TV.
DeleteShe sure achieved that dream.
I read a comment that September 25 ( 9 2 5) will be a day to celebrate Dolly with pink and rhinestones and all the things that shiny, bright, and good.
ReplyDeleteThat would be so cool. Did you see pictures of the pink light on the Statue of Liberty last night?
DeletePictou
DeleteYes, it was beautiful.
DeleteI especially like hearing about things you did know. Like the number of bands, drum lines, flag squads, dance teams, etc. in poorer communities that said that Dolly had funded their instruments, uniforms, and costumes.
Dolly played snare drums in her high school marching band.
There is nothing not to admire and like about Dolly Parton. A truly genuine force for good. A great loss for the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteSeriously- what in the world could you dislike about Dolly Parton?
DeleteShe was one of those people who walked the talk. The only thing I can think, is that she will be with her husband again. She was one of the good ones.
ReplyDeleteI wish I believed in meeting up with your loved ones when you die but I don't. Who knows though? Not me. Maybe she and Carl are somewhere in the ether, loving on each other like the young'uns they were when they met.
DeleteYou expressed this so well, Mary. She was wonderful and sure will be missed. We should all be more like her...
ReplyDeleteIt would not be a bad idea for us all to try and emulate Dolly.
DeleteIt was a shock and her death seemed to come out of nowhere. It does seem to be that the good ones get taken too soon but the bad ones get taken too eventually. What really hit me last night laying in bed was that she was only 4 years older than me. I'm laying there thinking maybe four years is all I have left. Joanne was 83 so maybe seven. That's a very sobering contemplation.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the exact same thing, Ellen. I thought what will I do with these next four years if that's all I have left?
DeleteDespite all evidence to the contrary, it is just about impossible, I think, for most of us to image a world without us in it. That we shall, in fact, die. I hope both of you Ellens live many, many more years. I think you can. But it's not a bad idea at all to remember that our time here is finite and getting more and more finite every moment! But then that's been true since birth.
DeleteI compare Dolly's passing to Princess Diana's ... so beloved around the World! I heard both yesterday and again this morning that she had a short battle with cancer! 🥹💔
ReplyDeleteMary, I don't believe you have to be religious to believe in angels! Dolly was and is a true Angel! 😇
Somehow I can't put Dolly in the same category as Diana, although Diana was fairly universally loved. I think Dolly is loved for so many different things and in so many different ways that her legacy, at least, will last a very long time.
DeleteYour words are not at all sappy, and you are right, Dolly was and is an Angel. Today I watched two of her movies and bawled my eyes out through Unlikely Angel, then laughed and cried alternately through The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a shame that the good ones are leaving us while those who should be gone already continue to besmirch the earth.
She was so great in the movies she acted in, wasn't she? She surely made some classics. Steel Magnolias and Nine to Five are right up there. She made a difference in so many ways.
DeleteLet us take heart in realizing that eventually, even the most evil among us will die. And their names will not be praised.
A friend mentioned today that the latest book from her Imagination Library to children in Ireland is "The Selfish Giant" by Oscar Wilde. It's all in there.
ReplyDeleteI think she should have been sainted for her book program alone. Who knows how many children's lives she changed with it?
DeleteI felt like if I started writing about Dolly Parton I would never be able to stop. So I kept it to two sentences! But you summarized everything very well. I so appreciated that in this dark time she continued espousing kindness and love, contrary to everything we hear daily from the people in power. No matter what she said it was about bringing people together. We need more like her, and yet no one can be exactly like her.
ReplyDeleteI had to keep cutting back my sentences, Steve. Really, volumes could be and have been and will be written about her. And think of all the things we DON'T know about her. I believe we only saw and know a part of what she did for others.
DeleteAnd you know- the way she spoke never made me feel like she was being preachy or self-important. She was so plainly certain of how she felt about so many issues that have divided us. I don't feel like she was telling us that WE should feel that way but I know after hearing her, so many of us wanted to. And tried.
You're right. There will never be another Dolly.
Dolly was completely lovely and yes, beloved. I live in the fringes of Appalachia and she is an icon among us all here. My youngest child decided to explore her music a few years back and her favorite song is God's Coloring Book which is really worth a listen. Dolly's voice is a powerful tinkle, I think, and it's just as beautiful as she.
ReplyDeleteI always think that even though I don't really believe in angels and I certainly don't know how one would sound if they sang, Dolly was indeed an angel and she sang like one too.
DeleteI love that your daughter found her music and has her own favorite song.
I too am so deeply sad about the loss of our Dolly. She was all of ours, wasn't she? She graciously let us claim her this way. I'm sad b/c the world is more than a little less sparkly without here. She taught us so many things. She was ambitious without being hard. She was soft without being small. She was taken seriously at tables and in rooms that were filled with only men. She confidently walked through doors that had previously been shut to women and poor folks and then held that door open for others. She gave so many people who had nothing to very little in common something to love together. She believed sunshine shone on all people, and she had a personality that was like sunshine itself. But more than all of that, I keep thinking that she spent her whole damn life being unapologetically herself--out loud for all of us to see. And for little girls like me who came from towns where Amish horses and buggies shared the roads with our school buses, she helped us believe that our lives could be bigger than our beginnings--just like hers was.
ReplyDeleteDear Susan From Ohio- Your comment is so perfect and so beautiful that I am now crying. You nailed it. Thank you.
DeleteAnd if there ever was an American dream, it was her life, wasn't it? I think her life should represent the HUMAN dream. How I wish it did.
I knew I could come here and read the best eulogy to Dolly Parton, but I also couldn't bear doing it until now. I was at school when we got the news, and can I tell you that nearly everyone -- all the kids, girls, boys, straight, gay, trans and non-binary -- all ages knew and loved her -- even way out here in lala land. I cried off and on all day after that. I usually don't cry when elderly people die because their lives have been long and some like Dolly sublime, but what's going on in this country, all the evil and corruption and ludicrous, gross decadence is just too much and it sucks that another light has gone out leaving us to carry on with all the shit. I watched 9 to 5 tonight and laughed and laughed. I think Dolly wants us to keep laughing and being kind, if we can. Even in the face of all this crime and corruption and nastiness.
ReplyDeleteHello, darling Elizabeth! I truly had no idea how beloved Dolly was (is) all over this country and the world, too. And it has also truly amazed me at how strong the reaction to her death has been from the Black community. I had no idea she was so loved and respected by so many. Social media has been full of tributes to her from such incredibly varied people. I think it was her pure joy. It was so strong and so honestly evident whenever and wherever she performed. What a light in this world she has been for us! And I think you're right- if she taught a gospel, it was the gospel of kindness. She deserves every accolade given to her, all of them genuine.
DeleteAnd yeah, I'm still crying on and off too.