71 Comments
User's avatar
Jeni's avatar

In a world full of Donalds, be a Dolly.

RIP, Queen.

Jude's avatar

Woohoo! Well said, Jeni!

Suzanne Urban  Ryan's avatar

Thank you such a beautiful tribute. I am crying, yet again, with tears of gratitude for Dolly. The beautiful soul who valued connections and knew the joy of gratitude herself. Thanks, Adam, for posting. Gratitude for all you do, too!

Ellen Snyder's avatar

thank you for writing what i can't right now.. yes , I'm crying also. Dolly was a magnificent person and I hope her dream can continue...

Beth Terranova's avatar

Dolly changed so many lives for the better. I hope her legacy does the same for minds and hearts...

Ken Agud's avatar

Thank you, Adam - this completely makes my day! The world needs many more Dollys 💜

karen G OHIO's avatar

Thank you Adam for this. I've got tears in my eyes for Dolly, for your words, for our country, and the hope that we will find our way again.

Andrea Madden's avatar

Thank you for this message of hope and the life I came from on a farm with a mom that made my clothes when little! Coat of many colors is my favorite, I will always love her! I am from Tennessee so I can claim her!😂

Jude's avatar

My mom made pretty much all of my summer clothes out of feedsack cloth. She'd buy big bags of chicken feed and other bulk farming food. She'd wash the empty bags (in a wringer washer), then sew them into shirts and shorts for me. I could relate to that part of Dolly's story too. :-)

Andrea Madden's avatar

Yes my Mom made my dresses out of flour sacks, that had mostly pretty flowers on the sack! She would put the flour in our Hoosier dish cabinet! It had a sifter, back then I only knew where the flour was stored! I was always so happy to get a new dress and no one made fun as they were in the same shape! Memories of the 40’s!

Jude's avatar

Recalling those memories as I read you comment, I heard the rhythmic whir from her amazing treadle Singer sewing machine :-)

Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

That’s beautiful, Jude.

Carla's avatar

Thank you. You wrote this with your heart. It is a good reminder that life's riches are not solely about money.

Jude's avatar

Though one of the blessings of money is that if you have more than you need to have a safe, basically comfortable life, it can be given away to help others.

Kathy Sims's avatar

A beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman who never stopped paying it forward. Thank you Adam.

Kari's avatar

VERY WELL SAID ADAM!

Rhetta Standifer's avatar

Thank you, Adam, for such a thoughtful piece about this wonderful woman. I wish we had more like her.

Everyone knows about Dolly's musical gifts, as well they should.

But as a woman from the South, I want to remember the Southern woman who climbed her way out of poverty, one of 12 children, rose to great acclaim and wealth, and yet never once forgot who she was or who her people were. She was authentic, funny, self-effacing, and sharp as a whip, something people sometimes discovered to their surprise and discomfort.

I also want to thank her for being a role model to generations of young women who could see in her possibilities in themselves.

She embraced those who were shunned. She was loving and caring and took care of those who needed help.

She left this world with quiet dignity. And she left the world a whole hell of a lot better for having been in it. Would that we all could say as much.

Jude's avatar

Right on and beautifully said, Rhetta.

Hey Mama Warrior's avatar

Oh Adam, I am crying again over Dolly. She will be sorely missed and her legacy will go in. She is a stark contrast to so many wealthy and powerful people. The other thing that struck me about her and her life was her family. She and her husband clearly lived and cherished each other, yet he didn’t try to capitalize off of her fame. This was true if her family members too. She came from a HUGE family, and I have no doubt she took care of all of them, yet, we don’t hear of anyone using Dolly’s fame to profit without merit. I am sure I’ll cry some more. She was such a part of my youth, and a BEAUTIFUL example of being the hands and feet as a true Christ Follower. RIP Dolly. Your memory will ALWAYS be a blessing.Blesskng.

Skepticat's avatar

All the flags at half-staff express how universally beloved she was, and it didn't take an edict. I became familiar with the Imagination Library early on, and I cannot image a better resource. I fear we shall not see her like again, but we can hope. And we need to remember and act on her lesson.

Jude's avatar

I bet some -- dare we hope for many?-- of those little kids whose lives she changed will let their little lights shine brighter as a result of her intelligence and kindness. She was planting seeds of light, and they'll grow.

Skepticat's avatar

I'm sure they will!

Jonie's avatar

Rest now faithful servant…job well done🙏🏼

Tina's avatar

What a beautiful tribute. Thank you 🙏🇨🇦💓

Madeline Bradley's avatar

Thank you, Adam for that wonderful tribute

Jan's avatar

Darn. You made me cry again. I wish some of the people in position to be kind and try to give a hand up to struggling people, would do something similar to what Dolly did but given the selfishness and greed I see from them don’t think there’s a chance of that happening.

Jonie's avatar

All the wealth in this country alone could surely ease the pain and suffering of millions and the super rich would still be rich. Have a heart like Dolly♥️