The world is a little darker today. 

As if we needed that.

One of the great beacons of human decency – Dolly Parton – no longer lives, sings, laughs, or beams here among us. 

I should start this tribute by confessing that I am not much of a fan of country music. I honestly didn’t cotton much to Dolly’s twangy southern drawl or folksy, “woman done wrong” lyrics. 

But like most people gifted with eyes, ears, and brain, I recognized a good soul when I saw one. Dolly’s soul was as good and pure as any of us will get to see this side of heaven. Like Fred Rogers before her, I am not sure anyone could find a bad word to say about Dolly Parton. 

I mean sure, you can choose to laugh at her outlandish wigs, boobs, acrylic nails, and rhinestones. But you would also notice that she was already there, laughing at those things long before you did.

Today I find Dolly’s death prompting me to take a moment to pause and ponder this question; HOW? As in, how does one person overcome as much difficulty and depravation as she did and then go on to become such an effervescent source of light and life? As in, how come there aren’t more Dolly’s in the world? As in, how do more of us aim to be more like Dolly and help shine the light of love into the dark corners of this crazy world?

Political season in the U.S. is just beginning to kick into high gear. Bare-knuckled brawls are developing in every corner of the land, with both sides cranking up the volume on a message that says, “EVERYTHING SUCKS! Put me in the seat of power, follow my lead and together we will straighten out this mess the country is in!”

Dolly’s life and untimely death (she was only 80, for crying out loud!) reminds us that it won’t be a new senator, a new governor, a new congressperson, or a new president of the country (as much as I would LOVE to see that come to pass) that will finally put things right.

That sort of transformation will only happen when we each find the kind of new hearts, new minds, and new spirits so perfectly exemplified by Dolly. In other words, the kind of hearts, minds, and spirits King David was praying for when he prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10, NRSV).

And if it happened to a guy like David, it can certainly happen to you and me, too.

Rest in power, country queen.