I have a feeling many of us will remember where we were when we heard Dolly Parton had died.
I was sitting at my desk in what was once my home office (when I was working) and is still a place I often hang out during the day when I am reading or writing.
I received an alert on my phone from one of my news sources, telling me Dolly had died. I could not believe it. Had I not just seen her on TV a few days ago?
Because I live in suburban Nashville, I immediately turned on the TV to a local station. Grim-faced newscasters were conveying the news and already looking back on Dolly's life.
Dolly's house is about a half-dozen miles from mine in the suburban town of Brentwood. She was seldom spotted in public (other than her official appearances), but Wife and my three children swear they saw her 25-ish years ago in a Blockbuster Video store. I was not there, so I can neither confirm nor deny it, and I suppose they would have had no reason to make it up.
I never saw her perform and never saw her at any type of appearance she made. But like just about everyone, I liked Dolly. I thought she was funny, genuine and smart, and I loved that she lived nearby, at least part of the time. I think she spent a fair amount of time near the theme park she built, "Dollywood," in the Tennessee hills where she grew up.
There is speculation about what will happen with her home here. Although it sits on five acres, back from the road a bit, it is still in a residential area, and I can't see it being made into a museum like Graceland (Elvis Pressley's home) in Memphis. I am sure neighbors in that area would not be pleased to have a tourist attraction right around the corner, and I'm guessing some zoning laws would have to be changed to even permit it.
All that will be worked out in time. For now, we simply remember Dolly with a smile.
3 comments:
Dolly seemed to truly practice what she preached. We may never know all the good she did, but just her Imagination Library is enough to be remembered for. My youngest grandson was a "graduate" and I remember him getting some wonderful books through the program!
I don't remember where I was when I heard the news though I know I heard about it just like you with a newsflash update on my phone. I have spent the last week pondering why I never saw her in the same light that many must do to receive such attention upon her death. I don't mean to say she wasn't deserving because like you, all I saw was a kind hearted woman who did wonderous things with her wealth. Yet for me she wasn't idolized and rarely thought about. I sit on the board of a library though and hope she was able to fund her book program into eternity as it has created a lot of joy among many young kids.
I heard it on the radio. Tim and I were both shocked. But I admired her generosity. Her books. The fact that every employee had the opportunity to attend college totally paid by her. Can you imagine the lives she touched/changed?
Post a Comment