Like so many of us, I have spent the last two days processing the passing of our beloved Dolly Parton.
She was such a larger-than-life person who seems to have found a way to walk through the world as it was, without ever being reduced by it. She managed to touch just about everyone here in the US and around the world with her kindness, joy and caring nature. And what makes her passing truly difficult to accept or fathom in the moment, is the fact that another huge beacon of light has just gone out in an already dark world, and we are all feeling it deep within our souls! We were not expecting this, and it has shocked our system!
In these times of massive change and uncertainty, leaving many of us feeling so lost and broken, we yearn for clarity and guidance towards making things right and meaningful again. The power of Dolly’s passing, is that her absence magnifies more deeply what we have been longing for for some time now, and the recognition of what we have collectively been settling for, for years, but can no longer accept as OK. Living a life filled with love and joy are what truly gives us meaning and purpose! But we can’t simply want these things – we have to become the example of what we want every day, just as she did! She broke through barriers because she believed in herself, in her dreams, in her faith, and in her connection to family and community. Nothing in her life was easy, yet she never complained or spewed ugliness or defined herself as a victim. She was grounded in what was important, and her focus was to share what she could to help others thrive, as well as to model an important truth that we can create the reality we desire if we believe in ourselves – because we are the only ones who can do that! Her example shows us what just one person can do to change the world, when they believe in their dreams and the power of kindness! Imagine what a group of us can accomplish collectively when grounded in that same belief for our community, state and country!
I will miss Dolly so much! Let’s honor her by believing in ourselves and showing her what we are made of! We have it within us to escape the ugliness and remake the world into a kinder, more compassionate, equitable and just reality! Dolly spent her whole life caring for others and using her talent, creativity and wealth for good. That’s the example that we and our country can aspire to again (becoming an even better version of who we were) – and it starts within each one of us!
One Light. One Source. 
This is beautiful, profound, true, and immensely helpful, Anita. I think it’s one of the best tributes to “our Dolly” that I’ve read anywhere. I love it, and I’m sure she would too. Thank you!
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Awww…..what a sweet thing to say, Annie! I am so touched, and so honored that it resonated! It was a real struggle last night (and over the past few days) trying to find the right words to describe someone so huge, that words can’t do her justice, and also to express what so many are feeling! Your message means a great deal, my friend!! Thank you!!
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Truly my pleasure, Anita.
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She certainly did do a great deal of good, and despite Shakespeare, in this case not all the good she did will be interred with her bones. Her family intends to continue her program of free books for children. We still have the vaccines whose development she helped to pay for. So in that sense, something of her still remains behind in the world.
It is striking that I’ve seen tributes on blogs and sites of every political persuasion. She was a unifier of people on some level.
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Thank you so much, Infidel753! Her legacy will certainly live on through those she helped, and those who will continue to be helped through her projects! As you said “So in that sense, something of her still remains behind in the world.” Such a beautiful thought, indeed! I can certainly say that I benefited numerous times from the Moderna vaccine, and never caught COVID, as a result! And I agree with you about the tributes to her coming in from every political persuasion! Again in your wise words, “She was a unifier of people on some level”. Thank you so much for your kind response to my post!
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A beautiful tribute to a “beacon of light,” as you said, Anita. Her passing is felt worldwide. There’s a perceivable wave of grief and loss in the collective. It happens this way when life is well lived—not only for oneself but also for others. Her benevolence was vast! Too early, yes, but a relevant life for everything she offered to the world. She will be remembered here for a long time—people like her remain “immortal” in so many ways (though the soul will surely continue its journey and, who knows, bring more light someplace else). Thank you for this precious share, my friend. Very touching and honoring! Infinite blessings and light to you, always! 🙏✨💖🌻🌈
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Thank you for your touching and insightful response to my post, Susana, and I am so happy that it resonated for you, as well! I love your description that “people like Dolly remain “immortal” in so many ways (though the soul will surely continue its journey and, who knows, bring more light someplace else)”! I absolutely believe that! Thank you for sharing such beautiful thoughts, my friend! Many blessings and much light to you in return!
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