I once heard someone refer to Dolly Parton as in American treasure and I think that feels right. she's is beloved by people in the country music world and her popularity has exceeded Way Beyond her humble Tennessee upbringing.
I consider Dolly an ambassador of Hope because she’s always done things on her terms with thoughtfulness for others. In 2023 she published a beautiful book titled Behind the Seams, that is about all of her costumes and gowns and wigs and all of her clothes that she wore through the years.
As a young musician and performer, before she was the famous Dolly Parton she is today, she had the presence of mind to keep the clothes that she wore. Before she was a big star.
I find that hopeful. She came from humble beginnings and she talks about this in the book about how why she's always worn big sparkly clothes and high heels and the big wigs she explains that they made her feel beautiful and special.
The value of cherishing her clothes for herself it's such an act of hope. She did not know back in the '60s and '70s that she was going to be the Dolly Parton that we all know and love today, or maybe she did!
It reminds me that when we're willing to be true to who we know we are, be true to what we know is right for us, what makes us feel good, good things will happen.
Behind the Seams photo credit: Alexander Krivitskiy Unsplash
