I will always love Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton’s death was a gut-punch. I was a lifelong fan, discovering her old 1970s television variety show when I was 5 years old. I was so obsessed that my parents bought me the Dolly doll that was released in 1976 when I found it at a KB Toy Store (remember them?!) in the mall. I've still got her, as you can see in the photo. When I posted that story on my social media, a number of my followers praised my mom and dad for buying me a doll when so many parents of that era would have shoved a GI Joe action figure in their sons’ hands and told them that “Dolly was for girls.” My parents were open-minded (partly because my Uncle Terry – my mom’s beloved brother – was gay) and also music lovers, but with very different tastes. Dolly was one of the artists we could all agree on. I think the world felt that way. The outpouring of grief and social media tributes from all corners of the globe was indicative of the goodwill and joy she brought to folks. Dolly was a light in the darkness ...
