Have you ever met anyone who, when they walk into a room, the entire room lights up and when they walk out, the room becomes a little less bright? Have your ever realized, possibly too late, that you failed to appreciate someone or something until you lose them or it?
Well, my friends, I am suffering from a case of “you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone” blues and I do believe I am not alone.
On Tuesday, August 25th an enormously bright light fell from the sky plunging us into darkness and grief. I don’t know about you, but I feel untethered and oddly empty.
Dolly Parton was a colorful, integral piece of fabric within the quilt of my life and so many others for decades upon decades. She, too, was a boomer, her presence was a quiet one, always spreading her pixie dust of sparkling hope and happiness. To think otherwise is incomprehensible. Her love and joy were infectious, whether one was aware of receiving it or not.
I admit I was not demonstrably her number one fan and never purchased one of her records, however, I was touched, moved and inspired by her songs and her kick-ass attitude. I received and was guided by her quiet, joyful reassurance. Goodness prevailed as long as Dolly existed. Kindness, compassion, and empathy were served up on a daily basis and enjoyed by many.
When Dolly, Jane and Lily brought 9 to 5 to the big screen on December 19, 1980, I was one of the 44.5 million American women in the workforce at the time. We finally felt seen. We finally felt heard. We were hopeful. We became empowered.
The lyrics of our new anthem, written by Dolly, served as a quiet nudge to women everywhere that we were not to be messed with or taken advantage of. That was Dolly’s way. Quiet yet powerful. Although she claimed not to be a feminist, she had said “Songwriting is my way of channeling my feelings and my thoughts. Not just mine, but the things I see, the people I care about. My head would explode if I didn’t get some of that stuff out.” And so she wrote and sang and made us all feel just a little bit more self-assured and better about ourselves.
Who will do that now? Who will gently guide us and shine that big, beautiful, bodacious light?
As we move forward through our collective grief, it would be to our benefit to heed her words; “Adjusting to the passage of time, I think, is a key to success and to life: just being able to roll with the punches.” Roll with the punches. Carry forth her torch of kindness, empathy and love. Celebrate who we are and shine on.
We will persevere and we will always love Dolly. She will continue to guide and inspire us from her new stage.
©2026 All Rights Reserved. Listen To Thyself with Diane Marie Ford. You may share this article to your heart’s content, but please do not use it without my written permission.
Country music star Dolly Parton performs at the Cordell Hull Dam Dedication Oct. 13, 1973, on the shore of the Cumberland River at the dam in Carthage, Tenn. According to an Associated Press report following the event about 2,000 people attended. Tricia Nixon Cox, daughter of President Richard M. Nixon, was the keynote speaker at the dedication. (USACE Photo)