Legendary characters never die--they live forever as myths.
Take Jesus. If all the splinters that were reputed to have been part of His cross were combined, a city larger than any in existence could be built.
If all the rooms that Washington and Lincoln allegedly slept in were gathered into one hotel, no city would be large enough to contain it.
Today, America and the world was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of a living legend, none other than East Tennessee's Dolly Parton. President Donald Trump ordered the American flag flown at half mast in her honor.
Not bad for a little gal born and raised in a Tennessee mountain home in Sevier County.
All my life I've known of Dolly's stardom. She was so versatile.
She was a songwriter with a talent that could wring tears from a dry sheet of paper. I never hear her song "Gypsy, Joe and Me" without practically bawling.
She was a performer from an early age. She played the guitar and sang with equally great talent. She sprang from her early associations with Cas Walker and Porter Wagoner to a successful career that encompassed many genres. She could fly solo or in duet with greats such as Kenny Rogers.
Not only could she sing and play, she was also a successful actress, performing equally well roles of working women as varied as secretary, beautician and prostitute.
She loaned her persona to a theme park and children's hospital. Her Imagination Library placed books in the hands of countless children.
Even Broadway will be impacted by the story of Dolly's life.
Dolly touched the world, yet her reputation remained untarnished.
I never heard of any of Dolly's ventures being anything but successful. I credit Dolly's success with one tenet from which she never wavered--she never forgot "where she came from", nor was she ashamed of her heritage. She devoted her life to enriching the lives of others. Sometimes it was through a song--book--movie--visit to a theme park.
Though Dolly's time on earth has ended, her legacy will live, as will ours, through the deeds she has done.
Undoubtedly, as with most legends, Dolly will be mythicized. But no myth can increase the greatness of her life evidenced by her good deeds. I close this tribute to a great humanitarian with a personal experience.
While I was dating that woman I married, my future bride somehow obtained an opportunity for my future stepson Dustin to meet Dolly at Dollywood in a closed-to-the-public event for him and five other handicapped children. I was enlisted to attend the event, though I was not overly eager to take the day from work. I was not one to be "star struck".
At the appointed time, Dolly appeared, dressed to the hilt in her traditional attire. I couldn't believe it, but I found myself in awe of this woman. I was first impressed with how small she was. It didn't seem she was five feet tall! What she lacked in stature was more than offset by her tremendous presence.
One of the handicapped children said to her, "You have a cute butt!" She replied laughingly, "Why thank you, my husband thinks I do, too!" An eager family member of one of the handicapped children approached Dolly to sign some memorabilia, but Dolly politely said, "I'm here to visit with the children. If there's time when I get through with them, I'll be happy to sign these things for you."
Dolly went from table to table, spending a few meaningful minutes with each child. When she got to Dustin, she hugged him and said, "Dustin, honey, your heart's just thumping!" He replied, "It's because of you, baby!" Dolly sang "I Will Always Love You" in duet with Dustin. A photo of Dustin with Dolly sits in Dustin's last bedroom in fond memory of the time a world-famous individual took one hour from her busy day to meet with six handicapped children, for no other reason than to make one shining moment in their health-compromised lives a little happier.
Matthew 23:11 says, "But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant." (KJV)
That was the essence of Dolly Parton's greatness. It wasn't altogether songwriting, singing, guitar playing, or movie stardom that made Dolly great. Many who once attained those things have been all but forgotten.
Dolly will live in memory because of her service to others. That is the true measure of greatness.
". . . Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise." (Luke 10:37b KJV)