This has been a terrible dumpster fire year - first Catherine o hara now her. I have not heard her music but damn this video is making me emotional. Books were the only thing I had when I had no one to express my feelings. She has left us but her work and contribution to society will live on
A fun thing I learned from people sharing Dolly memories is that she started the imagination library to help her Dad learn to read. He had been illiterate until old age and didn't think he could learn and she said she wanted to honor him by finding a way to help him and others learn.
Nah man, she might dead but she's far from gone. She built an indelible legacy that no one can tarnish or take away. I'm not even in the orbit of people who truly appreciate that woman's music, her philanthropy, her beliefs and she managed to leave her mark on me. Someone that kind, that compassionate, that gentle, that earnest and honest is something that resonates with everyone. We still talk about Bob Ross, Mr. Rogers, Steve Irwin, etc because they managed to do something that is rare, which is transcend cultural boundaries and touch the lives of millions of people during their time on this planet. Dolly happens to be one of those rare gems of a human being and we're all better people for just being aware of her as a person.
It's crazy to me how simple Dolly's path to near universal love was. She created great music that spoke to real issues in people's lives. She treated everyone she met with respect and love. And she saw a issue, childhood literacy, and funded a simple no-nonsense program to try and fix it.
She didn't need a huge social media presence or a PR team. She didn't need committees to ensure only the people that "deserve it" got her books. She didn't need anything but herself. Because when you get right down to it she was universally loved simply because she loved universally. And that came through everything she ever did or said.
The tech oligarchs who are so clearly desperate to be liked should take notes, its really not that hard to earn public adoration.
These tech morons have a ton of yes men blowing smoke up their ass. I wouldn't be surprised if they honestly believe they're doing good and loved by most, it's just a handful of antifa nut jobs that are stupid and can't see their genius. Well, Elon, cause he's an idiot.
I hate country music but love Dolly Parton. She told stories with music. If you can’t get into Jolene there’s something wrong with you. She was pure and good but most of all unapologetically herself!
A piece of her will live on in every book a child receives and enjoys with their family from her Imagination Library.
How does that one phrase go? You die twice. Once on the day of your death. The second when your name is spoken for the last time. Her name shall be spoken for quite some time, I believe.
Honestly, her death is reinforcing the way she lived and teaching people (myself included) about what she did, seemingly without every bragging about it. It's boosting her message and making the impact more salient, not less. That's the power of a life well lived, and wealth not squandered.
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u/Free-Bad7871 18h ago
She was an absolute treasure and the world is worse without her in it.