Yesterday this world suffered a terrible loss; one I know will
be felt profoundly not just by her family but her fans too.
We have lost a great lady and heaven has gained an angel.
A real angel.
This woman started her life out dirt poor, but she used her
talent and pure determination to drag her entire family out of that hole, and once she
managed that, she turned to helping others.
I first learned about her charitable works some years ago
when my niece had only one daughter. My niece (Konnie's oldest) told me about the monthly book
club her then very young daughter was part of. A club where each month she received
age-appropriate books to keep. My niece mentioned how grateful she was for the
help to build a children’s library which would hopefully one day rival the library
my niece already had.
And she told me who started and backed that club free of
charge to the recipients.
I thought that was cool.
But not too long ago I saw another side of her.
It was a post online about the recent devastating fire in
California, and she came on saying she was doing all she could to help the
victims of this fire, but that there were so many who lost everything, and the
need was enormous even for her. She said every little bit helps.
This big-time celebrity went on social media and humbly
asked for help for the wildfire victims. She was sincere and forthright. She
didn’t brag about how much she gave; she said she couldn’t do it alone and needed our help.
She talked about sending supplies, not just money. And
talked about how it is our duty to help our fellow man in times of need.
And I watched, scanning her face, thinking about how young
she looked, yet I knew she was way older than me. I have no clear memory of
when she first hit the charts, so I had to be quite young. She’s been around for a
long time. And as I listened to her plead the cause of the newly destitute, I
had a sinking feeling this would be the last time I ever saw her anywhere.
I just knew we were about to lose an angel, and that sad
news came out yesterday. She’s gone.
We can’t have her back, but we do have what she left behind:
her music and her compassion for her fellow man.
She had talent and a voice that will never be forgotten. And
below (thanks to Google) I have assembled a list of her songs. Here they are:
Joleen
9 to 5
I Will Always Love You
Islands in the Stream with Kenny Rogers
Coat of Many Colors
Here You Come Again
Two Doors Down
Rose Garden, and
What’s Up
Others include:
Dumb Blonde (1967)
The Bargain Store (1975)
Applejack (1977) and
Tennessee Homesick Blues (1984)
But I am sure she will be missed most by her family, who
loved her dearly, and all the people she helped with her charitable donations.
I repeat, we lost an angel; Heaven gained one.
Rest in Peace, Dolly Parton; you are a lovely, great lady.
We already miss you so much! And my condolences to the grieving family you left
behind; may they find comfort in knowing you have earned your reward.
I don’t think I can say anything more, so I’ll end
here, hoping my next post will be on a happier note.
Happy writing, everyone.
