“Please don’t take away my Dolly Parton.”

The whole country, more like the whole world has felt the loss of Dolly Parton within the past few weeks. She was special. She was magical.

Even my 3-year-old grand girl, Oakley, knew it.

The week that Dolly passed away, my daughter posted the following:

When we sing Jolene together, Oakley’s version is always:
“Please don’t take away my Dolly Parton”

My daughter’s next comment in her post: “and I think that’s how we all feel right now.”

And we all did.

Going back a few months, Oakley was purchasing a book. It was a book similar to another children’s book she had picked another time. That particular book was about Lady Gaga! I remember loving that Oakley next chose a book about Dolly Parton. I have been a fan of Dolly Parton for as long as I can remember.

Soon after owning her Dolly book, Oakley learned the song, Jolene, with her mommy’s help. She sings out, loud and proud:
“Please don’t take away my Dolly Parton”

Someone recently told me that grieving someone we did not know personally is called, “Collective grief,” and it is due to how she touched so many of us without us knowing her on a personal level.

Dolly came across as genuine. She seemed like someone any of us could sit across the family table from and chat about all the silly things in life. I can almost see her smiling at me and laughing her sweet and charming giggle.

I regret not ever seeing her live, in concert. But I will continue to sing along with her (and Oakley).
“Please don’t take away my Dolly Parton!”