Yesterday a ‘star’ went out.
Dolly Parton is being remembered, not just for the music she left behind, but because of how she lived.
She seemed larger than life itself. And while I was not initially a big fan of her music, she grew on me, in no small part for the way she lived her life. The more I learned about the quiet way she gave back once she had ‘enough’, impressed me more than any dude bro buying a 7th yacht ever will.
Her list of ‘gifts’ to groups and individuals grows daily and people speak up and remember her kindness. She seemed like the Energizer Bunny – always smiling, limitless energy to do good. Those eyes of hers seemed to see straight to the heart of any problem and her initial response usually seemed to encompass ‘what can *I* do to try to fix this?’
It was admirable. And an example of what a true Christian is supposed to be doing with their life. I respected her for it.
I could list accomplishments that I am aware of, but I’m sure all y’all will have your own list.
But given I’m not far behind her in terms of age, and that I’ve been wrapping up my will, Powers of Attorneys, thinking of bequests I want to make, most of them before my executor will need to deal with them, I can’t help but think about ‘legacy’.
But ‘legacy’ is rarely something you plan. It is in the way you live your life. So I’m pretty sure that Dolly, where ever she is, is telling us to not be sad. She lived life to full capacity. And I’m pretty sure she is somewhere watching and wondering what all the fuss is about. Because she never seemed to want to make people unhappy or upset. Pretty sure she would want us all to get up, get out, try to do some good in this world.
Her best legacy will be that she will be remembered. And loved.
And that’s a wonderful life, well lived.
Thank you Dolly. Thank you for showing how it can be done.