Dolly Parton died today.
Or at least, today it became public information. I kind of love the idea that her family might have had a little time for the news to belong only to them — especially since Dolly herself belonged to the whole world.
I might have reached adulthood with the realization that nobody’s universally liked. Popularity is fickle. Fame is fleeting. Nobody’s perfect.
And then I realized that might not be true.
Everyone loves Dolly.
(If that’s not true, wait a minute before telling me so. I might need a few days to just believe it.)
And now, at age 80, the Diva has gone home. The world is just a little dimmer today.
But one thing that’s so lovely? We can do some of the things she did, and in so doing, we can bring a little of that rhinestone sparkle back into the light. Sing a song. Wear really tall shoes. Give someone a book. Listen to the birds. Say a prayer. Laugh with your mouth open. Get your nails done. Make the hair a little bigger. Wink.
None of it is too hard. We don’t have to do it all.
She could do it all, but we’re not her. No pressure. Just a little effort from you, and a little from me, and a little from everyone else who felt the warmth of Dolly’s glow. It will grow.