Grieving Dolly

30 Aug

I was at breakfast with my brother who was visiting Bacalar a few years ago. At my favorite morning haunt I realized that I was sitting in the exact same seat where I last sat with my friend Gabriel before his heart attack and I lost him in my life.

My eldest brother.

Overwhelmed with emotions I began to cry. My brother responded by directing me to look him in the eye and breathe.

Gabriel his last day.

I realized in that moment that Ken was trying to get me to STOP crying. I told him that I was fine with expressing my feelings and didn’t need to stop. He looked at me confused. “I cannot relate.”

Sadly, I think most men and my brother in particular spend a lifetime trying to control feelings. To a degree, so do I.

During Covid, I found myself crying for no apparent reason and it scared me. I managed to get my joy back, which brings us to today.

Covid art.

Why are we so embarrassed by tears? I’ve worked for these emotions and I embrace them.

This week Dolly Parton died. The global tributes, playing her songs and buildings all over the world lit up in pink, had me sobbing.

Empire State Building 9:25

The world lost a great woman this week. If only we could all be a little more like Dolly, sniff.

DOS TORTAS

2 Responses to “Grieving Dolly”

  1. Emilie's avatar
    Emilie August 30, 2026 at 7:24 pm #

    So many great quotes from Dolly. I’m sure there’s a list online somewhere. I don’t remember the exact words, but one of my favorites is about being too busy to get old. That’s kind of how I feel sometimes. I just don’t have time for being old.

    Emilie

    Like

  2. Emilie's avatar
    Emilie August 30, 2026 at 7:34 pm #

    So many great quotes from Dolly. I’m sure there’s a list online somewhere.
    One of my favorites: “ I ain’t got time to get old. I ain’t got time to dwell on that. That’s not what I’m thinking about.”
    A while back, I posted this on my bathroom mirror: Don’t let the old lady in.
    I’m busy holding her at bay.

    Like

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