Reasons to be Cheerful: I Will Always Love You By Vicky Edwards

As a Celebrant, ‘legacy’ is a recurring theme. Not material things like property or cash; I mean wisdom, values and qualities – the things that are felt with the heart and that inspire us.

The recent deaths of singing superstar Dolly Parton and award winning actor Tim Curry left many heartbroken. Mourning the loss of their respective talents, and also the good that they did in the world, it really was a double whammy sucker punch.

Dolly’s philanthropy is well documented. Through her Dollywood Foundation she gave huge sums to good causes, as well as setting up the Imagination Library, a scheme that has gifted millions of books to children worldwide. And while she was never drawn to take any particular political stance, she certainly used her celebrity status to champion issues including women’s rights and LGBTQ+ equality.

Involved in supporting the HIV/AIDS community, as well as championing LGBTQ+ civil rights and theatre relief funds, Tim Curry also used the weight of his fame to make the world a better place.

I loved both performers. Dolly was whip-smart, supremely talented and simply a ray of sunshine. (And I will go to my own death swearing that she sang I Will Always Love You better than Whitney.)

An actor of huge talent and range, I adored pretty much everything I ever saw Tim Curry in (although his performance as Pennywise the terrifying clown in the movie It saw me sleeping with the light on for months afterwards). Even if the film or play itself fell short, his part in it always hit the mark for me. He was unfailingly classy and charismatic.

The word ‘legend’ is far too liberally banded about these days, but I reckon the title is perfectly justified for Dolly and Tim. They both brought so much good stuff to life's party. And that, I guess, is what legacy is all about.

The instinct to leave a legacy is something that seems innate to human beings – a combination of needing a sense of purpose and a genuine desire to do good perhaps? Either way, when people with greater visibility than most of us use their platform to make a positive impact the effect can be colossal.

Dolly once said, “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.”  

Oh Dolly, darling. That’s you, that is.

I’m going to try to be more Dolly and more Tim.

After all, as the latter famously sang in The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Don’t dream it, be it.

Follow Vicky on Facebook & Instagram @spotonceremonies www.spotonceremonies.co.uk

Photo: Lucy Davis Photography