A Matter of Perspective

The moment I heard this song I knew it would be a favorite of mine and that I was going to like the singer who wrote with such sincerity and openness.  Coat of Many Colors reminds me of my childhood.  We were never in the position Dolly’s family was that I know of, but then I didn’t know we were considered poor until I was grown.  We always had food, shelter, clothes, family, and friends. 
 Being the baby in a family of six children I was spoiled—still am for that matter.  Up until I had my hair cut in the fourth grade, my mother lovingly brushed my hair every day and put it into two braids, except on school picture day.  Then it was left down in back and the sides were pulled back and held by a barrette that sported a big bow my mother had made.  For many years that bow would match the ribbon in my corduroy jumpers.  Mom would cut off a portion of the bottom of my jumpers then insert the colorful grosgrain ribbon in between and sew the cut off part back on to the bottom of the ribbon.  I always thought she did this because I was so special to her and she wanted me to have the prettiest outfits of anyone.  It was much later that I learned it was done so my clothes would last another year.
 In the song Dolly says her mother told her “one is only poor if they choose to be.”  I believe that with all my heart and soul.  One doesn’t have to have all the latest gadgets and fashions.  Yes, I understand that there are people out there that can not afford the bare essentials and I applaud the many organizations that reach out to help them (I also support them monetarily whenever possible) but I still don’t believe that makes you poor unless you chose to see it that way.  If you have your health, your family, and your faith you are rich.
 Thank you Dolly, for speaking to my heart so eloquently.  Every time I hear this song it reminds me of my own mother whom we laid to rest on my thirteenth birthday so many years ago.