08/26/2026
When I was young, my father instituted a rule for the household. We could listen to gospel (and by this, I mean old hymns recorded by certain individuals) or we could listen to country because rock and roll had too much sin in the lyrics. This instilled in me a hatred of country music. I still can't stand it.
However, Dolly Parton was different. She was clearly and unapologetically country, but she was also rock. She was, above all, a good person.
Her father was illiterate. As a result of that, it was difficult for him to sufficiently provide for his huge family. After making it big and getting rich, she personally funded the Imagination Library. She loved animals. She loved people. She didn't judge. She was just good to all living beings she met.
I can't understand or explain why I feel such incredible loss by her death. But I have been crying ever since I saw the news.
Today, I ask for everyone to do anything at all to show love. Be kind. Be good. Give. Care. Be like Dolly.
