A Hurricane named Dolly?
Dolly Parton passed away yesterday, and it seems the whole country is grieving this remarkable soul.
A woman who could be called many incredible names,
overcomer, pure hearted, abundantly talented, joyful giver, spreader of good energy, devoted caregiver, beautiful on the inside and the out
and on and on…
So it seems somewhat conflicting to consider naming a hurricane,
a storm in the ocean that is capable of impacting land and lives,
with destructive winds and
violent floods
after such a peaceful, vibrant, loving soul.
If we look at this through a paradoxical lens
If we take away any emotions of good or bad from the disruption of the storm
The opportunity of remarkable influence is possible.
A hurricane can bring death, tragedy, great suffering, we know that’s true.
It can also be an opportunity to clean up and repair,
to shift away from former things that are no longer producing growth,
to leave behind the places that are stuck,
and then
to find inspiration to reimagine the future.
To dream,
create new and
influence the next generation.
Dolly’s life was difficult. She weathered many storms, from poverty and in grief. She kept moving forward.
Her legacy will live much longer that her physical days on earth. Her music, her demeanor, her generosity will spread like wildfire. Not in a destructive way but in a way like fire producing heat to open the shell of the pinecone, that kind of energy allows new seeds to open and grow.
Dolly’s contribution through her music and her desire to get books into as many homes as possible can put dreams in the people who never meet the dreamer!
Dolly Parton’s soul will never die.
Dolly’s life will impact all future generations, the ones that know her and the ones who don’t know her because her legacy, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Those books will plant seeds that are beyond measure. Her voice, her music and her presence will be remembered by all who saw her but for those who will not know her when she was alive, her impact will grow and grow and grow in the imagination, which cannot be stopped.
RIP Dolly! Thank you for being an incredible example of a life well lived!
We are all better because we know you!
If they do name a hurricane after you, we’ll need to trust that whatever destruction it brings forth, through the suffering and the grief, new life will arise.
To personally honor Dolly, I believe that she would encourage us all to
“Celebrate the Dreamer in You”
A song from her last live performance
God will use it all for good, just like Dolly!
Stay Blessed!
Lisa
Pce