08/25/2026
To me, Dolly's life force is even greater now. We have the biggest, most luminous presence with us, everywhere.
My son Daniel was on Hannah Montana, and Dolly was incredibly kind to him. She gave him a big old hug when he walked onto the set at nine years old. Her presence lit up not just the studio, but the entire building, with that million watt smile.
She would get down on her knees, or at least bend down to his level, so a nine year old would not feel intimidated by her. That is who she was.
She never had a single scene with Daniel.
And she is still the one he remembers most from that set.
Of course, she was a brave and fearless troubadour, and she left us some of the most iconic songs of our time. But her musical talent was matched, and probably outmatched, by her huge heart.
"๐ ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ป'๐ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ธ ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ด๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ผ๐น๐ฑ; ๐ ๐ท๐๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ธ ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐น๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐น ๐ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฒ."
I love this quote, because how many of us worry about getting older? And that worry is misplaced.
What we should worry about is not appreciating the preciousness of life. The way the Light shines from our child's eyes. The way it comes through the green leaves of a tree dancing in the wind. The way it calls us from within to be of service, to be kind, to contribute.
That we can do at any age. And I believe Dolly did it until her last breath.
My family lives in North Carolina and is from Tennessee, so of course we would always go to Dollywood. Most of the proceeds, I am sure, went straight into her philanthropy.
How many kids learned to read because of her?
How many kids got books because of her?
How many people were fed?
Clothed?
Comforted?
That is the kind of legacy that goes far beyond music. Dolly's Light, Love, and generosity will keep touching lives everywhere. โค๏ธโจ
