Four years ago, we took a summer vacation to The Great Smoky Mountains. To date, it still remains one of my favorite destinations, topping the charts in scenic views, lush mountainsides, and rivers. We saw so many black bears that it seemed they were making an appearance just for us. And then there was Dolly. Dolly’s childhood home, Dolly’s theme park, Dolly’s statues, and Dolly’s Stampede. As much as we intended to stay strictly in the wilds of nature, we were drawn to Dolly Parton like a pat of butter to a piping hot square of cornbread.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee is one of the entrances to The Smoky Mountains, and you can’t drive through Gatlinburg without seeing, hearing, and feeling Dolly Parton. Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s Appalachian-themed park is located in Pigeon Forge which is a hop, skip and a jump from Gatlinburg. Dolly and Dolly-type things to do are everywhere, and well…when in Rome.
I could go on and on about Dolly’s Stampede, where we ate a four-course feast followed by a show featuring music, comedy, animals, and pyrotechnics. I could tell you about the horseback riders who did tricks, and how patriotic the show was, but what we mostly came away with is the absolute magnetism of Dolly as a country singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist. She gives money for scholarships and donates books to inner-city schools so that all children can have a book of their own to read. Her talent, charm, and grace are undeniable. And by the way, she is a Capricorn. Her birthday was January 19th, the last day to be a Capricorn.
Capricorns are known to be hard workers. They are often overachievers, persistent, practical, and sensitive. They make success look effortless even though they do put a lot of energy and time into their careers and relationships. And while Dolly Parton is an extravagant example of zodiac energy and creative entrepreneurship, she has a soul twin who shares so many common denominators and the same birthday, my little Auntie Sue.
Dolly and Sue, both short in stature and big on attitude, have an unstoppable will to survive and thrive. Both are givers and have never known a stranger. Both can kick ass and take names later and both love to love others. Although Dolly is obviously living life to the fullest, Auntie Sue has gone on to Glory, both are excelling and exhilarating in their respective spaces.
Dolly and Sue were faithful to their belief in God. In fact, there is a Bible verse that reminds me of them both. Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Anyone who ever spent time with Auntie Sue knew she was special. Her confidence, endearing humor, magnetism, and compassion for mankind was a force that attracted others, drew them in, and encouraged them to be better people. What a legacy, what a quality to have. Both of these tiny dynamos obviously lived by Dolly’s quote: I walk tall: I got a tall attitude.
I was always one of the tallest girls in my class all through elementary school, perpetually on the back row, center on picture day. I was taller than every boy in my class until seventh grade. I was always scouring the pant rack for tall, not regulars, and tried endlessly to find stylish flat shoes with not too much heel.
I never wanted to be tall.
You should be glad you’re tall.
The growth of my arms and legs was the source of many tears and angst.
I wish I was tall like you.
It didn’t matter what anyone said, my inner self could not manage a tall attitude.
Growing up, I would occasionally forget that I was a full head taller than everyone else until I saw myself in photographs or looked down to see my pants fit as though they were ready for a flood. I was tall, but I never walked tall. As I gradually grew into my own in high school, I was glad the boys were taller but painfully aware that when standing with a group of girls, I could see the top of everyone’s head.
In college sorority pictures, I tried to casually slump, scrunching my shoulders to be more ‘right-sized.’ Unsure of myself, holding back and trying to fit my tall peg into a short hole left me never feeling good enough. It’s the kind of thing self-help books are made of. Shrinking back, making myself small, so others could be tall.
Enter Auntie Sue. Tiny like Dolly. Big hair, like Dolly, and outspoken, like Dolly, Auntie Sue believed in me with a force as strong as the Oklahoma wind. Growing up without my mother, I never had that approval and acceptance that many might take for granted. I simply bluffed my way to adulthood where Auntie Sue finally reentered my life with a new perspective; Walk tall and have a tall attitude.
I have written volumes about Auntie Sue. Stories about her humor, her sacred sittin’ ugly time, her glory hole, and her fierce loyalty to those she loved. I will never tire of singing her praises. I’ll never forget her hysterical Sue-isms, and I’ll forever be grateful for her love. Her walk-tall attitude encompassed me and lifted my slouchy frame from a wanna-be 5’6” to a real 5’8 ½”. Unconditional love has the power to make even the shakiest walk tall.
Maybe some might think it a s t r e t c h to compare Auntie Sue with the big as life, Dolly Parton, but I think it’s just right. As iron sharpens iron, a tall attitude encourages the same.
Dolly’s living the dream and embracing her tall attitude. She’s singing her songs, selling her cornbread, and bringing the world together with her podcast, Dolly Parton’s America. And Auntie Sue? My little Auntie Sue is still sending her love and guidance to me, and she’s still walking tall….walking tall on the streets of gold.
Sittin' Ugly Sistahs 