Tribute to Dolly

 

I don’t remember the exact date. 

But I remember the exact moment that I heard that Rich Mullins had died.

I was sitting in my spot in my music history classroom in college.

I was waiting for class to begin when one of my friends came in and told me the news.

I was devastated. 

Rich Mullins was my favorite singer songwriter at the time and I had recently seen him in concert.

His life and work made a huge impact on Christian music and his legacy is still celebrated today.

 

I imagine it will be the same with Dolly Parton.

I may not remember the exact date that I heard of her death,

But I will remember the exact moment.

I was walking to car duty when a colleague stopped me in the hall and said have you heard the news?

I said what news? 

She said Dolly Parton died.

I didn’t know if it was some weird joke, so I asked if she was being for real.

She said yes, that it was for real, and my immediate response was,

“Oh no. I need to check on Heidi the Librarian.”

 

I like Dolly Parton.

I have a few songs of hers on my playlist, and I respect the impact that she made on country music and the world in general.

But I wasn’t a super fan.

Heidi was. 

Just recently, Heidi had written Dolly and asked for her autograph for a student, her sister, and herself.

As a thank you for the autographs,

Heidi sent Dolly a coat of many colors that she had made out of tin. 

Heidi saw Dolly’s new musical in workshop twice.

She drove by Dolly’s home in Nashville and teaches about Dolly every year.

At the beginning of the week,

We were talking about going to Broadway to see Dolly‘s new show. 

We were talking about waiting until opening weekend because Dolly would be there. 

Dolly won’t be there now,

But I know her spirit will be alive and well.

 

When you love someone, 

A friend, a family member, a partner, a colleges, 

Your heart breaks when their heart breaks. 

My immediate response to Dolly‘s death was not my own grief or the tremendous loss to the world—

Because Dolly Parton really was a positive life in this world.

My immediate response was my friend. 

And somehow,

Knowing what I know of Dolly, 

I think she’d be proud. 

 

Take care of your people today, friends. 

And in the spirit of Dolly,

Spread light, love, kindness, and children’s books 

And know that 

Everything’ll be okay. 

 

Amen.