Our Dolly Parton ❤️

Our Dolly Parton ❤️ Sad News Tonight

Tonight there are tears falling all over the world for a lady who was loved by millions, and somehow it feels like we have all lost someone from our own family.

Dolly Parton was more than a singer. She was a songwriter, an actress, a storyteller, a businesswoman and a woman with a heart bigger than the mountains she came from. She had a voice that could make you smile, make you laugh, make you dance, and then, with one song, have tears running down your face.

Dolly came from humble beginnings in Tennessee. She was one of twelve children, growing up with very little money, but she had something money could never buy — a loving family, music around her and dreams in her heart.

From those early days she knew she wanted to sing and write songs. She worked hard and slowly made her way into the music world. But even when the world knew her name, she never forgot the little girl she once was or the family and place she came from.

She wrote songs about real life. About love, heartbreak, family, loneliness, hope and dreams. Her songs could tell a whole story in just a few minutes. She had a special way of reaching people, because you didn’t have to be rich or famous to understand what she was singing about.

And who could forget Dolly herself?

That big beautiful hair, the sparkling clothes, the wonderful smile and that laugh that could light up a room. Dolly never tried to be somebody else. She was Dolly, and she was proud of it.

But underneath all the glamour was a woman who cared deeply about people.

She gave so much back to others through her charitable work and especially through her love of children and reading. Her Imagination Library helped put books into the hands of children, giving them something precious — the chance to dream.

And perhaps that is one of the things Dolly understood better than most.

Dreams matter.

She came from a poor family in Tennessee and dreamed of becoming a star. She didn’t just dream it, she worked for it. She built a life that became bigger than she could ever have imagined, but she still remembered where she started.

Tonight, people everywhere will be remembering their favourite Dolly song, their favourite film, their favourite interview, or maybe just that beautiful smile.

Some people will be singing her songs through their tears.

Some will be telling their children who Dolly was.

Some will be looking at old photographs and remembering happier times.

And some will simply sit quietly and think, we have lost a very special lady.

There are tears falling in homes all over the world tonight for our Dolly.

Because Dolly belonged to everybody.

She made people laugh. She made people cry. She gave people hope. She showed us that you can come from very little and still reach for the stars.

Her music will carry on.

Her stories will carry on.

The good things she did for people will carry on.

And every time one of her songs comes on the radio, there will be someone who stops what they are doing, listens, smiles through the tears and remembers her.

And let’s not forget that epic song, “Islands in the Stream,” with Kenny Rogers — a song that brought Dolly and Kenny together and became one of those unforgettable songs that people all over the world knew and loved.

What a beautiful memory to leave us with — Dolly and Kenny singing together, their voices forever joined in a song that will keep playing for generations to come.

So tonight we say goodbye to a woman who gave the world so much.

Thank you for the music, Dolly.

Thank you for the laughter.

Thank you for the memories.

Thank you for showing us that kindness and a big heart can mean more than anything money can buy.

Sleep peacefully, our Dolly.

Your voice may have gone quiet, but your songs will keep singing.

Your smile will keep shining.

And your name will keep being spoken with love.

You weren’t just loved by the world.

You were loved by us.

Rest peacefully, Dolly Parton.

You will never, ever be forgotten. ❤️