Monday Morning Musing: When I Grow Up I Want to be Like Dolly

This is an unabashed love letter of admiration and respect for the iconic Dolly Parton. At 77 years old she is still creating, performing, caring for all of our children (www.imaginationlibrary.com), loving her family and friends, collaborating with friends and rock stars, and making us all feel a little bit more hopeful about the world. Her latest album of rock songs, some covers, some original, was an unexpected gift in a world that needs all of those the universe has to offer.

It was not until recently, at an age younger than Dolly, that I thought for the first time "it's too late to chase that dream." I don't remember specifically what it was, but for as long as I can remember I've held onto the possibility that I could do whatever I decided I wanted to try. Realistically, this would not include being a participant in sports or crafting. But, you know, anything else. I credit my maternal grandparents for planting this seed in me - I don't remember them saying I could do whatever I set my mind to, but with every fiber of my being I remember them believing it. And that matters.

But Dolly Parton and Joe Biden and other wise elders who are still out there doing it remind me that it's not too late for any of us to chase whatever dream is dancing in the corner of our imagination. What's yours?

Here are the poetic, haunting lyrics to Dolly's original song "World on Fire". Seems right for these days*:

Chorus: Liar, liar, the world's on fire / Whatcha gonna do when it all burns down / Fire, fire burning higher / Still got time to turn it all around.

Now I ain't one for speaking out much / But that don't mean I don't stay in touch / Everybody's tripping over this or that / What we gonna do when we all fall flat?

Liar, liar, the world's on fire / Whatcha gonna do when it all burns down?

I don't know what to think about us / When did we lose In God We Trust? / God almighty, what we gonna do / If God ain't listening and we're deaf too?

Repeat Chorus

Don't get me started on politics / Now how we to live in a world like this / Greedy politicians present and past / They wouldn't know the truth if it bit 'em in the ass / Now tell me what is truth / Have we all lost sight / Of common decency / Of wrong and right?

How do we heal this great divide / Do we care enough to try?

Liar, liar, the world's on fire / Whatcha gonna do when it all burns down?

Billy got a gun / Joey got a knife / Janie got a sign to carry in the fight / Marching in the streets with sticks and stones / Don't you ever believe words don't break bones?

Can we rise up / Can we show some love / Do we just give up or make a change / We know all too well / We've all been through hell / Time to break the spell in heaven's name.

Repeat Chorus X 2

Show some love / Let's rise above / Let's make a stand / Let's lend a hand / Let's heal the hurt / Let kindness work / Let's be a friend / Let hatred end.

*Although I appreciate almost all of this song, I disagree with the notion that a protest sign is equivalent to a gun or knife in her lyrics. March on, Janie. March on, beloveds.