For some reason, the loss of Dolly hits many of us hard. I love the thought of her babysitting other loved ones for us! Plus she’ll be leading a lot of sing-alongs up there.
Grace, grief can leave love full of verbs with nowhere obvious to send them. Your rhinestone waiting room gives those verbs somewhere to go: remembering, imagining, telling, laughing, protecting, throwing one more impossible ball. That is what makes this ache and comfort at once. Dewey remains more than someone you lost; he remains someone your love can still care for through story. I’m grateful you let the humor stay in the room with the heartbreak.
"I’m grateful you let the humor stay in the room with the heartbreak" struck me. I truly believe it's my best way through. Thank you for these thoughtful words.
So good. My mom passed almost 18 years ago, and whenever a musician died that she loved, like Dolly, I always say that my mom is already in line for the opening day concert. Because she is. Front row center.
Oh my Grace!! I am so sorry for your losses. They really compound. And Dewey had to be the roughest - I am sorry for that loss and the others. Dolly was a really hard one to swallow, but I bet she is there with Dewey, singing to him with her beautiful voice.
This made me miss every person I've ever loved in some capacity all over again.
I don't know what I believe happens after we die. I stopped pretending I have any real answers a long time ago.
But if there is a waiting room somewhere, I hope it's full of people who have absolutely no concept of time. They'd just think we'd been gone for an afternoon.
I miss people who don't even know they're being missed and I think that's part of the entire point of remembering in the first place.
Grace, I like getting to know you beneath the witty one-liners. You, your husband, and Dewey make for a beautiful family.
You brought a tear to my eye. Thank you. So very kind.
For some reason, the loss of Dolly hits many of us hard. I love the thought of her babysitting other loved ones for us! Plus she’ll be leading a lot of sing-alongs up there.
Really, I was thinking about why (beyond the obvious), and it does seem like many of us felt like we knew her. She had that quality. Pure magic.
Loved this piece. All the wonderful tributes to her since her passing show how truly beloved she was around the world.
Thank you, David. Absolutely, she was one of one.
Beautiful post! I am certain that Dewey, Dolly, and Popeye are having a hell of a time together, and maybe even Carl too.
This is so kind; I like to think they are too!
Yah, but you’re a softie — you ol’ softie you.😜
Oh absolutley!
Grace, grief can leave love full of verbs with nowhere obvious to send them. Your rhinestone waiting room gives those verbs somewhere to go: remembering, imagining, telling, laughing, protecting, throwing one more impossible ball. That is what makes this ache and comfort at once. Dewey remains more than someone you lost; he remains someone your love can still care for through story. I’m grateful you let the humor stay in the room with the heartbreak.
"I’m grateful you let the humor stay in the room with the heartbreak" struck me. I truly believe it's my best way through. Thank you for these thoughtful words.
good thing you mentioned shoplifting otherwise I would have just assumed he/she was the one on the stairwell
So good. My mom passed almost 18 years ago, and whenever a musician died that she loved, like Dolly, I always say that my mom is already in line for the opening day concert. Because she is. Front row center.
I’ll miss Dolly so much , I adore her 💖
I know someone who’s a sort of funeral hobbyist. Most weird.
Oh my Grace!! I am so sorry for your losses. They really compound. And Dewey had to be the roughest - I am sorry for that loss and the others. Dolly was a really hard one to swallow, but I bet she is there with Dewey, singing to him with her beautiful voice.
If you have the patience to sit through a board game … I’m probably not your tribe either 😂
this was just one of those lovely, touching reads. thank you for sharing your world. 🤍
This made me miss every person I've ever loved in some capacity all over again.
I don't know what I believe happens after we die. I stopped pretending I have any real answers a long time ago.
But if there is a waiting room somewhere, I hope it's full of people who have absolutely no concept of time. They'd just think we'd been gone for an afternoon.
I miss people who don't even know they're being missed and I think that's part of the entire point of remembering in the first place.
I got halfway through this before I even realized it was you, Grace. I think Dolly might have a little cabin at the rainbow bridge.
Also, your guidance counsellor helped me see behind the curtain also. ❤️Bless her heart, as Dolly would say. 🐕
Thank you, Susan! I think so. If Dolly is there to oversee, we're in good hands.