So, Dolly Parton, a legendary Country and Western entertainer, died today. Although I wasn’t much of fan of C&W music, I grew up with her as my parents definitely were C&W fans. Yes, I remember the Porter Waggoner Show in the 1960’s and Dolly’s regular appearances. In fact. she may have been my first infatuation as a teenager. I really didn’t follow her career but still it’s sad to see someone of that kind of iconic (is it okay to say that?) stature, gone. It really brings home, at least to me, that we’re all gere on a temporary basis, some more temporary than others, but all the same at some point.
That’s to mention all of the coverage on television, probably radio and print as well, that Dolly’s passing has received today. Did she ever receive this many accolades at one time ever when she was alive? Seems pretty certain the answer to that is no. People always rush to the microphone when something like this occurs but never while the person is living. But then, the same happens to some degree for everyone, doesn’t it?
Today, approximately 8,400 people died of all causes in the United States. How many of those received exclusive coverage in any media? One. It seems celebrity in this country remains the way to receive recognition once life is over. For the other 8,399? They remain anonymous to all except their families and close friends. Much less than 340 million people, I expect.
Don’t take me wrong, I too am sad Dolly Parton is gone, but so am I the many others, like her, I didn’t know. Some young with possibly bright futures ahead, others old and lonely because no one cared about them. Has the president lowered the flag for any of these? No, but he did for Dolly Parton, as all presidents do for pretty much anyone that’s not you or me. If you believe death is not the end, then there should be no reason to mourn except for their absence as eventually you’ll be reunited with that person. But if this is the only life we have, then what we have lost, with all 8,400, is immeasurable. The lives lived remain only in our memories.