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!
Autocrats prefer an ignorant constituency because they are easier to control and brainwash— no nonconformist books, no nonconformist news, no facts, no truths , only the propaganda of the party line containing falsehoods and misinformation .
Manipulation is the name of the game, and the uninformed and unschooled believe it, to their detriment.
As Trump says: smart people don’t like him. The entire GOP has apparently adopted this as their credo … hoping to keep enough Americans dumb enough to believe that the Republican party gives a shit about them.
Actually, Indiana, Washington and Maine completely shut it down. Missouri and Nevada reduced the state matching funding significantly. So unfortunately, both red and blue states have impacted the imagination library. Indiana, Missouri and Nevada all have Republican Governors. Washington and Maine have Democratic Governors. All claim its due to state budget crunches but its a real shame.
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.
I feel she embraced Christ's teaching of loving your neighbor, being the Good Samaritan, and opening your arms and your home to those who are shunned and outcast in society. She was truly inspiring in that way and I love her and Christ for that.
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!😂
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. :-)
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!
The treadle sewing machine! When I was in high school, taking Home Ec (like we all did back then because we might’ve preferred shop but they wouldn’t let us), the first dress I made was on my mom‘s treadle sewing machine!
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.
Oh Adam, I am crying again over Dolly. She will be sorely missed and her legacy will go on. 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 loved and cherished each other, yet he didn’t try to capitalize off of her fame. This was true of 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 of a true Christ Follower. RIP Dolly. Your memory will ALWAYS be a blessing.Blesskng.
A definite, good Sunday cry this morning, Adam; filled with heart and truth. Kindness and generosity is something we can all give...no matter what our situation. It is the choice to do it. Thank you, Adam. You've given me another day of hope and confidence that every day we have the ability to become the best of ourselves.
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.
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.
Thank you, Adam. Yes, I'm also in tears. For me, other than my respect for Dolly as a singer-songwriter, alone pretty spectacular, there is also my sincere thanks to her for seeing us and including us. I'm a gay man, and Dolly never, not once, threw us LGBTQ under the bus. Even when it was professionally strategic for her to do it, she never did. Her kindness, her philanthropy were matched by her inclusiveness. The world became brighter with Dolly Parton in it.
In a world full of Donalds, be a Dolly.
RIP, Queen.
Woohoo! Well said, Jeni!
Amen!
Jeni, if it's okay with you, I'm going to put that on my sign at my next protest rally! Love it!
Thanks again, Adam. Well said once again.
Of course!
Yessss❤️
love this, Jeni!
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!
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...
Unfortunately, 2 Republican states already stopped her Imagination Library . They prefer their voter doesn’t read apparently!
@Christine
Autocrats prefer an ignorant constituency because they are easier to control and brainwash— no nonconformist books, no nonconformist news, no facts, no truths , only the propaganda of the party line containing falsehoods and misinformation .
Manipulation is the name of the game, and the uninformed and unschooled believe it, to their detriment.
"Falsehoods?" Let's be blunt. They're lies.
That doesn’t sound right at ALL for Washington state!! So sad.
Just google what states have stopped funding the Imagination Library.
I know that the Missouri legislature immediately stopped all state funding while trying to claim Dolly as on of their own.
Sorry, MAGA. Dolly wouldn't be caught in a room with you.
WHAT?
Washington State and Maine have eliminated all funding and Missouri and Indiana have severly cut matching funds for the program.
As Trump says: smart people don’t like him. The entire GOP has apparently adopted this as their credo … hoping to keep enough Americans dumb enough to believe that the Republican party gives a shit about them.
Actually, Indiana, Washington and Maine completely shut it down. Missouri and Nevada reduced the state matching funding significantly. So unfortunately, both red and blue states have impacted the imagination library. Indiana, Missouri and Nevada all have Republican Governors. Washington and Maine have Democratic Governors. All claim its due to state budget crunches but its a real shame.
What would the books have to do with their budget?
Those states are plum ignorant!!
Amen to all you wrote!
Dolly changed so many lives for the better. I hope her legacy does the same for minds and hearts...
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.
She truly lived by her Christian values. How many of us can say the same?
I feel she embraced Christ's teaching of loving your neighbor, being the Good Samaritan, and opening your arms and your home to those who are shunned and outcast in society. She was truly inspiring in that way and I love her and Christ for that.
Right on and beautifully said, Rhetta.
Beautifully said, Rhetta!
Thanks Marianne!
Thank you, Adam - this completely makes my day! The world needs many more Dollys 💜
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.
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman who never stopped paying it forward. Thank you Adam.
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!😂
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. :-)
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!
Recalling those memories as I read you comment, I heard the rhythmic whir from her amazing treadle Singer sewing machine :-)
The treadle sewing machine! When I was in high school, taking Home Ec (like we all did back then because we might’ve preferred shop but they wouldn’t let us), the first dress I made was on my mom‘s treadle sewing machine!
My mother's treadle sewing machine, beautifully restored, will pass on to my daughter.
That’s beautiful, Jude.
Thank you. You wrote this with your heart. It is a good reminder that life's riches are not solely about money.
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.
Oh Adam, I am crying again over Dolly. She will be sorely missed and her legacy will go on. 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 loved and cherished each other, yet he didn’t try to capitalize off of her fame. This was true of 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 of a true Christ Follower. RIP Dolly. Your memory will ALWAYS be a blessing.Blesskng.
Rest now faithful servant…job well done🙏🏼
Thank you, Adam for that wonderful tribute
A definite, good Sunday cry this morning, Adam; filled with heart and truth. Kindness and generosity is something we can all give...no matter what our situation. It is the choice to do it. Thank you, Adam. You've given me another day of hope and confidence that every day we have the ability to become the best of ourselves.
VERY WELL SAID ADAM!
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.
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.
I'm sure they will!
Thank you, Adam. Yes, I'm also in tears. For me, other than my respect for Dolly as a singer-songwriter, alone pretty spectacular, there is also my sincere thanks to her for seeing us and including us. I'm a gay man, and Dolly never, not once, threw us LGBTQ under the bus. Even when it was professionally strategic for her to do it, she never did. Her kindness, her philanthropy were matched by her inclusiveness. The world became brighter with Dolly Parton in it.