Rest In Peace Dear Dolly

The world is mourning Dolly Parton who, as far as human beings go, was as good as it gets.

A personal little Dolly story- when I was around 12 years old I was in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade (a friend’s grandmother worked for Macy’s and got us the gig). My dad and I woke up at some ungodly hour and took the train into the city from Long Island. My friend and I were on the big turkey float- the one where the wings flap up and down. Fifty years later the turkey is still in the parade.

Anyhow, the celebrity who sat atop the float was none other than Dolly Parton. But I had never heard of her- it was several years before the movie “9-5” came out. And I didn’t know much about country music. So when our part in the parade was over and she descended from the top of the turkey I politely asked her what she did. Or why she was famous. Or something to that effect. I’ve always asked a lot of questions- I can’t help it.

She was as sweet as could be. She was not condescending or put out by my question. In fact, she laughed and told me she was a country singer. Noted.

After that, I paid close attention to her career. And watched and delighted as her fame grew. I admired her philanthropy and the way she gave and gave. To victims of hurricanes, to her literacy program (which will continue), to her hometown, etc.

The world lost a good one. Yes, she was a country singer but also, so much more. By the way, Google “Dolly Parton.” You can thank me later.

Today, another famous 80-year-old, Tim Curry, passed away. I hadn’t remembered some of the movies he had been in until NBC News reminded me.

Now I know what you’re thinking because I’m thinking it too. Things happen in threes and there’s another certain 80-year-old out there whose demise we are anxiously waiting for. And no, that does not make us bad people. There’s been a whole lot of suffering caused by that person. And he’s as opposite to dear Dolly as a person can be.

So, I just want to say the following- we need to be patient. Okay, more patient. Which admittedly has never been my strong suit. I open presents and cards the minute I get them unlike my husband who is always like, “I’m going to wait until my actual birthday to open that nicely wrapped item.” He also fully unpacks in hotel rooms but I love him anyway.

I feel like nature is taking its course with Trump. There’s not a White House spokesperson who can convince any of us that the president is in anything but really crappy shape. However, if nature could hurry things up a bit, it would be appreciated.

Just remember that it’s gonna happen. There will be an alert on our phones or we will be watching tv when we see “Breaking News…”

To those we’ve lost- rest on peace. To Trump- I promise that you too will get the send-off you so richly deserve.