My Dolly Parton


Count me in the all inclusive group of those who loved Dolly Parton, and didn't realize how much until she left us. Or God called her home, as she and I--we--might put it. Dolly seemed like everyone's best friend. I had thought for a long time that she should run for President. She would win and she would be good. It's fun to imagine her on the world stage, negotiating with Putin or Xi. They wouldn't know what to do. Since Dolly's passing, I've been falling down the rabbit hole of watching videos, reading about Dolly, and reflecting on memories. 

It was not love at first sight with me for Dolly. I remember seeing her on television in the mid-70's in an especially outlandish wig, thinking that she was rather strange. How could someone want to look like that? Was she for real? Of course, a major part of Dolly's appeal was how real she was behind all the makeup, glittery outfits and wigs. Those were a part of her too, but not the most important part. 

Country music hadn't infiltrated my world in the 70's so my exposure to Dolly was limited. But then came the movie, "9 to 5," released in 1980, starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly. I was a sophomore at the University of Southern California, making an uneven adjustment to college life. The film was playing at the mall across the street. I was a big Jane Fonda fan and thought Lily Tomlin was hilarious so of course I saw the movie. Not only did I like the movie a lot, but it struck some kind of comforting chord within me (the Dolly factor?) at this confused time of my life and I saw the movie probably 15 times. When I should have been studying or doing more productive things. But still. Dolly, basically playing herself, if she were a secretary, was a delight and I got the full dose of her likability. The scene where she threatens to turn the evil, lecherous boss from a rooster to a hen with one shot from the gun she carries in her purse is priceless. 


In the last week, I've read so many of Dolly's funny and true quotes for the first time. My favorite is about Black Lives Matter:

"I understand people having to make themselves known and felt and seen. And of course Black lives matter. Do we think our little White asses are the only ones that matter? No!"

This is so perfect. It reminds me of Dr. Paul Farmer's quote: 

"The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that's wrong with the world."


In all my research (i.e. mourning) I also discovered that Dolly was a fan of the Madonna Inn, an incredible hotel in San Luis Obispo, California. This was a hotel I grew up fantasizing about as my Mom and Dad stayed there in the 70's. Each room had a different theme and was decorated accordingly. They even had a room with a Flintstones theme. I got to visit the hotel in 2017 and it lived up to its reputation. 


I stayed in a New Orleans-themed room. 


The dining room was gaudy and glitzy and over the top in a fun way--even more so at Christmastime, which is when I was there. When I read that Dolly was an annual visitor to the hotel, it made total sense. If you had to dream up a hotel that looked like Dolly Parton it would be the Madonna Inn. 


Love me some California.

It says something about how big Dolly's footprint was that her singing and songwriting, the focus of her career, were not the main way she was an influence on me. But I've been listening more since she died, and, oh, she put her life to beautiful words and music. I loved hearing her sing Coat of Many Colors in Ireland. 

I'm writing this post as catharsis and because I need to get back to work. Dolly wouldn't want us wasting too much time reviewing her life, instead of living our own. She left us so many good example of how to live, which don't involve hair and makeup. She got up early. She prayed. She worked hard. She was philanthropic and was quiet about it. She was herself and she didn't take herself too seriously. She loved people. She let God lead her and she didn't give her power away. She used the gifts God gave her to entertain and help people. She was sui generis and she was a role model. 

Thanks, Dolly, for everything. 


Door at Madonna Inn.

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