Coat of Many Colors

Gratitude, thinking about being grateful. Thinking of those people in my life that I love and care for deeply. Thinking of our sweet little kitty Stoney and my beloved dog Frank Kelley who is living the high life in Puyallup with my parents. Thinking of my broken toe/bone that is slowly healing and no longer aching. Thinking of my pot of chili that I made the other night in the crock pot and my husband saying, "This is damn good chili." I'm thinking of the good in life and trying to get my perspectives back about life and reality.

Several months ago I was looking at Ticketmaster and saw that Dolly Parton was coming to town. Kent's good friend Monika, and now mine (Yeah!) loves Dolly Parton, I mean like crazy loves her. I have enjoyed a little 9 to 5 now and then and I think she is just a kick! Monika gave me a greatest hits CD of hers for a birthday present and I was hooked. When I emailed Monika about Dolly she was no-holds-bar going for the premiere seats for the both of us. I was in the middle of planning my wedding and there was just no extra funds available, particularly in the amount of $250.00 per ticket. Monika is that type of friend who just says to hell with it, we are going sister.

So it was to great joy that I found myself in a small theatre in the 9th row watching this icon of a woman dressed to the nine's in all her glory. Monika and I were so excited that night, I mean the type of excitement where you stand in front of your closet and wonder what would possibly be good enough for Dolly. I wore as much flash and dash as I could. I figured this was THE Dolly Parton and you either go big or go home. When the show started and she came on stage I lost it, I mean like literally lost it. She spent the next two hours singing and speaking of love, her childhood and her joys. The audience was made up of the young, the old, gay and straight. It was the human element that I just could not get over. When she sang her song "Coat of Many Colors" I remember thinking how blessed I have been over the years. I felt blessed sitting in that theatre with my friend Monika and sharing this experience together. I had just returned from my honeymoon a few days prior and my heart was still overwhelmed with the experience of getting married.

As I have struggled a bit these past few weeks I have turned to my Dolly CD's (yes, I now have more than 1. I also have a kick ass black jacket and bag--the matching to Monika's set). I like to put on Coat of Many Colors and hear Dolly's childhood story of her mother making her a winter coat out of rags that were donated to the family. Dolly had gratitude in that jacket, gratitude in her family and gratitude for life. I may not have to wear a Coat of Many Colors, but I think all of us from time to time can benefit from the perspective of others. To Dolly...my gratitude for today and to Monika, friendship and kick ass 9th row seats.