Jonathan Kieran

What on earth does one say when an entire nation, and even the world, loses a genuinely cherished cultural cornerstone? Dolly Parton—entertainer, genius musician, songwriter, philanthropist, kindhearted spirit, larger-than-life presence—was easy to admire. It was easy to love her, even if you didn’t own one of her records or know the words to every one of the hundreds of songs she wrote and sang. Dolly was with us. There. An abiding, delightful presence who graced our cultural landscape like an extra helping of whipped cream on a dessert that would have been a lot less inviting without it.

She was one of those rare individuals who moved with natural ease across a wide spectrum of media that affected everyday lives in pleasant, joyful ways. She wasn’t an actress, as such—how could pure honesty ever “act”?—but she was a welcome and rewarding force to be reckoned with on the big screen and the little ones whenever she made movies. Full of verve and laughter and, yes, that vivacious Dolly “look” that quickly came to be as recognizable as her inimitable voice, by anyone, anywhere. She was a whirlwind of determination and down-home charm who “made it big” in a tough, chew-em-up-and-spit-em-out industry and even more so, permanently, in millions of hearts that can also be fickle, without ever forgetting her humble roots in the Tennessee mountains.

Her savvy as a self-made businesswoman was evident not only in the unending success of her nearly seven-decade career, but in the way she turned her ambitions toward the betterment and uplifting of the impoverished region from whence she came. Her dream to build the Dollywood theme-park was no greedy grab for cash or extra fame—with her hard work it indeed became one of America’s premier theme-park attractions but also ended-up providing gainful, life-changing employment to thousands in her “neck of the woods,” as she’d say. That was vital to her plan. Giving back to her own folk.

Stories about her philanthropy are legendary, too, especially in the United States. Wildfires, hurricanes, kids suffering in hospitals? Dolly was there with a big check and made no fanfare about it; we learned of it because others spoke out in their gratitude. Perhaps most endearing of all was her massive contribution to literacy. Dolly’s Imagination Library charity has been quietly providing MILLIONS of free books each year to children all over America and the world. A staggering undertaking, this kind of beneficence cannot be quantified in the usual ways because it produces dividends in the heart and the formation of minds that will contribute to society in myriad ways for generations to come.

As a writer, the significance of Parton’s literacy contribution is respected with a unique reverence. You’d better believe it. Her innate talent? That can never be questioned. Listen to impassioned songs like Jolene, Coat of Many Colors, I Will Always Love You, 9 to 5, and others to countenance a major, prolific musical artist whose work shall endure. Americans “grew up” with Dolly over a notable stretch of time. Her easy friendliness and sincerity made her one of those “famous people” who simply seemed like a member of one’s extended family or circle of friends.

Right there, always, where you expected to find her and where you needed and wanted her to be. With a smile and a wink in her eye.

Godspeed, Dolly. Thanks for visiting us.

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[ THE WEDNESDAY BOX, a dark fable by Jonathan Kieran, along with titles from his exciting new ShadowPyx Short Story Collection, are available on Amazon.com, HERE. ]

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