I have hardly had time to grieve the passing of Kenny Rogers. This pandemic consumes me, and so many of us, in ways I wish I could escape. He was my favorite singer growing up. We went to his concert when I was 5 years old because I was obsessed. I don’t remember the music, but I remember seeing him and feeling so happy. Such a funny thing for a five year old. I don’t know why I loved him so much at such a young age, but I did. I think it is his voice. It is so comforting and calm.
Now he is gone, and he died during a pandemic. I don’t know what this is going to mean for his funeral. So I want to share some things, and kind of have my own funeral for him. I did this with Rachel Held Evans too. Been a rough go of it lately losing two of my favorites within a year. Here we are in a pandemic and Rachel’s words are still live, and Kenny’s music is soothing my soul right now too. I hope Rachel and Kenny are hanging out right now. In my mind they are.
I wrote on Twitter that one thing I have noticed about Kenny Rogers is how many duets with women he has done throughout his career. He was always sharing the stage with women, and he showed beautifully that men and women can work together and be the best of friends. No issues with him working with women. Kenny and Dolly were so close. You could tell just by how they interacted in their music, but they have confirmed it verbally too. Who didn’t love Kenny and Dolly? Especially at Christmas- they were my Christmas growing up.
I cry when I think about this world without him. Isn’t it great when we leave something behind that stays alive? I can’t stop listening to his music right now. It is the only thing that gets my mind off the pandemic. He is comforting me again. I feel it. Now he knows how much I loved him and he is coming to help me through this moment in time. The song I am listening to over and over is “You Can’t Make Old Friends”. It is a duet with Dolly Parton. Read these words. It is almost like she prepared herself for this moment a long time ago with Kenny’s help. This is a word to honor a life well lived.
You Can’t Make Old Friends
What will I do when you are gone?
Who’s gonna tell me the truth?
Who’s gonna finish the stories I start
The way you always do?
When somebody knocks at the door
Someone new walks in
I will smile and shake their hands
but you can’t make old friends
You can’t make old friends
Can’t make old friends
It was you and me, since way back when
But you can’t make old friends
How will I sing when you are gone?
Cause it wont sound the same
Who will join in on those harmony parts
When I call your name?
You can’t make old friends
Can’t make old friends
It was you and me, since way back when
But you can’t make old friends
When Saint Peter opens the gate
And you come walking in
I will be there just waiting for you
Cause you can’t make old friends
Cause you can’t make old friends
When I am out on the stage all alone
And I hear the music begin
We all know the show must go on
But you can’t make old friends
You can’t make old friends
Can’t make old friends
And you and me, will be young again
You can’t make old friends
You and me, will be together again
Cause we both know, we will still be old friends
You can’t make old friends
Not the way we have always been
There is Life Out There 