Dolly Parton is dead at the age of 80. Donald Trump is the same age but still alive.
What a pity.
She led an inspiring, self-less, compassionate life marked by love. He is leading an ugly, selfish, self-consumed life marked by hatred and vengefulness.
She built bridges to unite people, he builds walls to divide them.
She is being remembered for being an example of how to live a good life, how to make the world a better place, how to see those who feel invisible.
He will be remembered for being an example of how to live a terrible life, how to make the world worse for others, how to inflict pain and suffering on those living on the margins.
She is being remembered for good deeds like using the royalties she earned from Whitney Houston’s cover of her song “I Will Always Love You” to invest in a Nashville office complex in a Black neighborhood, and then calling it “the house that Whitney built.”
Trump will be remembered for doing nothing for anyone but himself.
The contrast between the life Dolly Parton lived and the life Donald Trump is living are distinct stories that reveal the difference between good and evil.
Dolly Parton used her time on earth well. He is using his as poorly as anyone can.
She is winning universal praise for who she was as millions give thanks for her life. He is already earning universal condemnation for who he is and one day there will be millions who will give thanks for his death.
It is not often that a public life so well lived creates a natural contrast with another public life being so badly lived, but in the current circumstances the comparison between Dolly and Trump is unavoidable.
I suspect she would not approve of the contrast I am making between her life and that of the current White House occupant, but I think she would understand.
She was a smart woman, having once said of herself, “I am not dumb, and I am not a blond,” so I am sure she saw as clearly as anyone that the Trump presidency is as bad as it gets for the country and the world.
I am glad my time here on earth paralleled hers, having kept up with her career since I first saw her on the syndicated 30 minute Porter Wagoner Show that was broadcast on the local TV station in my hometown at 6:30 every Saturday evening.
Her voice, her appearance, her beautiful smile, and her infectious laugh separated her from everyone else on the show. I didn’t know she would become the star she was, but looking back it is not at all surprising that she did.
Her music made her a star, her heart made her an American icon. Dolly Parton will live on through her songs and the unnumbered ways her life blessed the lives of others.
In stark contrast, because of who he is, and in spite of his vain attempts to immortalize himself, Donald Trump will be forgotten the day after he dies.
What is more, I am selfish enough to hope his death comes before mine so I can metaphorically dance on his grave.
linnposts.com 
I’m happy you wrote this tribute, Jan.
The first time I ever heard of Dolly was when a friend ridiculed her hair/wig. I immediately considered her a one-woman clown show, a buffoon.
I continued to hold that opinion —- if I gave her any thought at all —- until I was dragged off to see her movie, 9-to-5, expecting the worst.
But it was there I discovered how truly talented she was, more than holding her own on the screen with two seasoned pros, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, while her incredible voice filled the theater with the movie’s title-song which she’d also written. Plus, she came across as being totally authentic and genuinely sweet.
From that point on, I paid serious attention to her, appreciating her sense of humor, wisdom, humility, kindness, and love for life —- all of it, which seemed to include all of us. I watched as she went from Country & Western caricature, to musical icon, to national treasure. I realize now that it wasn’t she who changed, but my opinion of her.
I don’t get caught up in celebrity much, but I am feeling a deeply personal sense of loss with news of her passing The world has lost an immeasurably good, decent, and caring individual.
And they are so few.
What a wonderful tribute this is on its own. I suspect your story is one many others experienced about her as well.