This week brought the heartbreaking news of the passing of Dolly Parton—a legendary singer, songwriter, gospel artist, actress and philanthropist whose life and work touched generations.
Dolly and the late Loretta Lynn were my two favorite women in country music, although I never had the opportunity to see either of them perform in concert.
Like so many others, I have spent time this week reflecting on Dolly’s life and what she meant to people across America—particularly those of us in Appalachia.
If I had to choose one quality that stood out above all others, it would be her kindness and compassion for others. Her charitable work was extensive, ranging from the Imagination Library, which has placed millions of books into the hands of children, to her generous support of communities recovering from disasters.
Dolly once offered a simple piece of advice: “Find the good in everybody.”
There is tremendous wisdom in those words. Even in people who have made terrible choices, we can often find something good if we are willing to look deeply enough.
We do not have to agree with someone’s decisions, beliefs or way of life to treat that person with kindness. We are all human beings, and each of us struggles in ways others may never see. We do not always know what someone is going through, what kind of day they are having or what experiences shaped them into the person they became.
Kindness costs us nothing, but to someone who is hurting, it can mean everything.
In a recent interview with The Baptist Standard, Sarah Lucky recalled a lesson she heard while growing up: “Love like Dolly, and treat people the way Dolly would.”
That may be one of the most meaningful ways we can honor Dolly Parton’s memory—not merely by remembering her songs, movies and performances, but by following the example of compassion she set throughout her life.
Thank you, Dolly, for being the extraordinary entertainer you were. More importantly, thank you for being an extraordinary humanitarian and for reminding us that success is measured not only by what we accomplish, but also by how we treat others.
Joe Clark, Publisher
The Morehead Minute