We Will Always Love Dolly

Gosh, the world seems just a little less bright. A little less fun. A little less kind. And a lot less Dolly. It certainly wouldn’t be hyperbole to call Dolly Parton one of the most beloved stars of our time – possibly the most. And it wasn’t just the rhinestones and the wigs and the twang. It wasn’t just the songs and the smarts and the sass. Lots of celebrities entertain and inspire people with their talent and drive and passion. But Dolly was beloved not just because of the joy she brought, but for the love she gave.

Dolly didn’t take herself seriously. But she took being kind to others extremely seriously. Her literal rags-to-riches story embodies the American Dream through her seven decade career. Yet she is one of those all-too-rare superstars who realize that with great fortune comes great responsibility. And that responsibility is to not just give back, but also care about everyone – especially those who have less than you. Which is why she will always be one of my original crushes.

She is also a reminder that the richest and most powerful among us don’t have to be like this. The tech oligarchy. The billionaire class. We don’t ask nearly enough of them. They don’t have to relentlessly exploit. They don’t have to hoard the riches and resources. They could give more freely and dictate less. And through it all they could remain otherworldly rich, and have every last comfort in the world still. But they don’t.

Thank goodness Dolly did. She has given away more than 332 million free books to children through her Imagination Library. She embraced her LGBTQ+ fans from the start. She sang about women’s rights in the height of the women’s rights movement. Hell, she helped fund the freaking Moderna COVID vaccine. And she did so many other things – large and small – that objectively made a difference in people’s lives.

Supremely talented. Uproariously funny. And unendingly empathetic. An American original, and truly the best of us. May she continue to be a beacon for the people and the country we aspire to be. Rest now, sweet lady, on a beautiful bed of plush cotton with Carl. I will always love Dolly, and the world was a better place for Dolly loving us. Thank you for making our lives brighter.