LP Inspire, LLC

Please excuse your regularly scheduled programming for me to tell you that I am at the gym and I’m trying to make muscles. Because apparently when you are approaching 50, which leads to 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100, you need muscles to help with bone density and to stay strong.

Why do I feel so sad when I didn’t know Dolly Parton personally? Because she showed us how to BE GOOD HUMANS in the world. There’s so much to say about her philanthropy, her words on loving thy neighbor, what an incredible songwriter and singer and entertainer she was, but also the fact that she led by example. Not just with words, but with actions.

We don’t have as many people with her platform that are brave enough to do that. THAT is why I am sad. We lost a piece of a bright light and goodness and godliness in the world today.

And I miss that already. She was a beacon, a moral compass.

And, she did give me something. Besides great music and somebody to look up to, she gave me someone to connect to with some of my students. One of my former students reached out to me this afternoon because she was sad about Dolly and knew I would be too. And I reached out to another so we could commiserate. This is a GIFT. We’ve lost an American treasure.

Some reflections on some songs…

Jolene - Dolly was always a woman for women. She never tore Jolene down.

Backwoods Barbie- I remember hearing this song for the first time and really feeling seen. I was getting labeled a lot of things as a teenager that didn’t fit who I really was. This song gave some of those feelings words.

I will Always Love You - may every break up be as beautiful as this. And I also love that she would not sell it to Elvis and he would not sing it if she wouldn’t sell it to him. She’s also a bad ass businesswoman.

Islands in the Stream - I’m so glad Kenny and Dolly are reunited again.

9 to 5 - the anthem to the working class everywhere. It will never go out of style.

Coat of Many Colors - the song reminds me of being a little and kids making fun of my middle name. And then I remembered I was named after my grandma Eunice, who I thought was pretty cool. And somehow this song makes me think of that time.

Eagle When She Flies - I just want to live up to lyrics like this

World on Fire - just listen. Even in her 70s she was writing, inspiring & PAYING ATTENTION.

Shine - Dolly covered the Collective Soul song on her Bluegrass album. And it’s a divine treat, my 90s babes.

Why do I feel so sad when I didn’t know Dolly Parton personally? Because she showed us how to BE GOOD HUMANS in the world. There’s so much to say about her philanthropy, her words on loving thy neighbor, what an incredible songwriter and singer and entertainer she was, but also the fact that she led by example. Not just with words, but with actions.

We don’t have as many people with her platform that are brave enough to do that. THAT is why I am sad. We lost a piece of a bright light and goodness and godliness in the world today.

And I miss that already. She was a beacon, a moral compass.

And, she did give me something. Besides great music and somebody to look up to, she gave me someone to connect to with some of my students. One of my former students reached out to me this afternoon because she was sad about Dolly and knew I would be too. And I reached out to another so we could commiserate. This is a GIFT. We’ve lost an American treasure.

Some reflections on some songs…
Jolene - Dolly was always a woman for women. She never tore Jolene down.

Backwoods Barbie- I remember hearing this song for the first time and really feeling seen. I was getting labeled a lot of things as a teenager that didn’t fit who I really was. This song gave some of those feelings words.

I will Always Love You - may every break up be as beautiful as this. And I also love that she would not sell it to Elvis and he would not sing it if she wouldn’t sell it to him. She’s also a bad ass businesswoman.

Islands in the Stream - I’m so glad Kenny and Dolly are reunited again.

9 to 5 - the anthem to the working class everywhere. It will never go out of style.

Coat of Many Colors - the song reminds me of being a little and kids making fun of my middle name. And then I remembered I was named after my grandma Eunice, who I thought was pretty cool. And somehow this song makes me think of that time.

Eagle When She Flies - I just want to live up to lyrics like this

World on Fire - just listen. Even in her 70s she was writing, inspiring & PAYING ATTENTION.

Shine - Dolly covered the Collective Soul song on her Bluegrass album. And it’s a divine treat, my 90s babes.