Dear Editor,
They say sometimes they leave in threes those who are icons and famous as Dolly Parton, Tim Curry and Gloria Steinem. But then the ‘number 3’ holds spiritual, cultural, and historical significance within many traditions and philosophies and numerology and science.
And how the passing away in threes ties in with anything is still for most a mystery. Yet today in a time when there is so much chaos and turbulence here and in the world it was almost curiously refreshing to be distracted with their passing. The Standard’s Women in Business special section gave lovely tribute to Ms. Steinem and Dolly as did Mr. Mollette who wrote a heart-warming opinion about Dolly that we all can agree she was loved by everyone. Some even said they would vote for her if she ran for president. She was that well thought of and respected. She had a faith as strong and big as the Rock of Gibraltar and cared deeply about others that she gave to multiple charities while creating programs of her own. My favorite was putting storybooks into the hands of millions of children.
And she financially and publicly supported the vaccine for COVID 19. Her heart was always in the right place. With a sense of humor and a wit sharper than a tack Dolly was one step ahead of the comedians when she often said, “I know I look artificial but I like to think I’m real where it counts!”
And because she was a woman trailblazer in the music industry when asked if she was a women-libber she said, “I can’t answer that but I can say this, ‘When I burned my bra it took the fire department three days to put it out!’” Then graced her answer with that heartwarming laugh of hers. And when asked why she bought the old shack her parents had lived in she replied, “I still like to pee off the porch now and then.” She with humor and compassion embraced her life’s story growing up Appalachian poor with no lights or running water crediting it to who she was and her faith in God and her concern for the lest of them. And no doubt her wizardries in turning lemons into glasses filled with refreshing lemonade. Her gift to give love and joy and understanding with her angelic voice and her heartfelt story-telling in her music writing was not only her fame but in the movies she starred in. Including ‘Steel Magnolias’ with its diversities and strengths in womanhood and ‘Nine to Five’ with her brilliant acting and writing its theme song that became the anthem for every working woman.
Dolly always wanted to be her best for everyone regardless who they were. She always said, “I don’t judge anyone and we should love everyone the way Jesus loves ‘all of us’ regardless of one’s culture, color of skin or who you are or where you come from.”
A belief and practice we need more than every today. And yeah, I too would’ve voted for Dolly … like a protest sign that read “Be More Like Dolly Not Like Trump!” He takes credit for things he didn’t do and takes medals that aren’t his and like a spoiled child he can’t stop whining, “He can’t have a Nobel Prize.” Whereas Dolly was always humble about her good works and when offered the Presidential Medal of Freedom she said no thanks, “Others deserve it more than I do.” But then that was just Dolly’s way even though she was and always will be a national treasure. She like her most memorable song that spoke to the hearts of all ages from young lovers to every mom and dad and their love for their child, “I Will Always Love You.”
Dolly Parton will always be loved, and, the love and joy she gave to the world will be dearly missed.
J.M.
