I usually write my column for the benefit of my readers, or do I? In honesty, I write them for me too. Writing my thoughts helps me put things in order—to make sense of what happens around me. I guess it’s one reason I recommend journaling.

This week is no exception, and although this one will be tired news by the time you get it, I need to write it today. Thanks for listening.

It’s about Dolly.

Many famous women my age were born in 1946, and turn 80 this year: Dolly Parton, Cher, Sally Fields, Susan Sarandon, Liza Minnelli, Diane Keaton, and Naomi Judd, to mention the ones I most admire.

It was Tuesday, August 25th, on my way to an appointment, I heard Dolly had passed. I was so saddened, and it felt similar to when I heard Elvis had died on August 16, 1977, 49 years ago. I can recall full-color scenes of where I was and what I was doing—sort of like the JFK assassination.

Isn’t it interesting who we admire and hold in high esteem and how different they are from each other? We all have different idols, so to speak, but Dolly is right up there for me.

In my eyes, she was an example not only of talent and goodness but also of modeling mental wellness::

• Authentic—real—genuine
• Joyful—held love behind her eyes—her inner spark matched her outward glitter.
• Compassionate—in her own words and examples, “I love everyone!”
• Shared her time, talents, and treasures—her gifts
• Honest—she had no shame in sharing all her nips and tucks, successes and failures.
• Funny—at one of her three live concerts I had the privilege of attending, she said, “You know, it takes a lot of money to look this cheap.” Then she laughed and threw up her arms.
• Appreciative—grateful
• Rich relationships with family and friends
• Faith she owned and lived
• Knew herself, and celebrated who she was and where she came from
• Lived by example and mentored many
• Gave back —paid forward—set examples
• Lastly—Dolly Parton lived while she lived.

I think it’s mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually healthy to set our sights on extraordinary humans—those who give us examples of how to succeed, survive, help, and love.

We can also look up to people we don’t want to emulate. It’s our choice, but we learn so much more from those we want to imitate.

Many people fill those shoes for me, but on this day, and this hour, Dolly is it—May she inspire many more women, young and old, to reach for similar stars.

She was a good one.

Until the next time: Live while you live