Sande Hart

This image was an animated tribute grabbed from the Google page after searching her name for an image.

I’ve been trying to figure out why I could not explain my emotional response to the passing of Dolly Parton. The moment I heard the news, something deeper than a sadness washed over me. Of course, we lost someone whose music has been the soundtrack of so many lives, whether we liked her genre or not. Her persona has been a bright light no matter the stage or screen we see her on. And her generosity is a profoundly inspirational dream when I hit the lottery. But still, I could not reason the tears or lump in my throat. We’ve lost souls like hers before and I was never this moved.

Not even the passing today of Tim Curry has the same wonder washed over me. He indoctrinated my youth, never missing the Rocky Horror Picture Show every Saturday night at the midnight show in Hermosa Beach, and it tickled me to see him in The Muppet’s Treasure Island.

Dolly was more than a celebrity and talent. She was the model of the highest ideals for humanity. She was anchored in who she was, which made it possible for her to laugh along with jokes about her hair and body type. It also made it possible for her to reach into her soul and write such significant songs. She was generous with her time to others and saw her accumulation of wealth as a responsibility. She did not run from her past but humanized and honored it. She gave her community resources, but not handouts.

She developed Dolly Wood, not as monument to herself, but to lift her community through joy. She has given tens of thousands of people jobs that they could have fun and enjoy going to everyday, while bringing fun and happiness to all the guests. I am going to guess she would not have put her name on the park had she not known it would inspired other high-wealth people to support this mission of the soul, or maybe do the same.

Today I heard that no one ever had an unkind thing to say about Dolly Parton. Of course. She lived her highest value system to love thy neighbor and never forgot to love herself along the way. What’s not to love.

So, if you are surprised by your reaction from yesterday’s news, thank Dolly and know your humanity is showing.