The tributes are pouring in. How could they not? This woman meant so much to so many. Each accolade is true: generous, kind, strong, tender, sparkly, talented, down to earth, genuine, compassionate and the list goes on. She was all those things, but the part that makes this an especially tough passing was the connection she made with each of us, even though we never knew her personally. Like when Fred Rogers passed, we all feel Dolly was a part of our lives. Of course, her music provided our child to adulthood soundtrack, but she was more than her music. Her music was her platform for telling stories. Making sure people were seen by writing so much about what we experience. We felt she knew us and her music proved it.

However, her generosity was as legendary as her songs. She gave unselfishly. She remembered her impoverished roots and did not forsake them. The kept her feet firmly planted in the soil of need and the love of family. It was the core of who she was, and rather than hide it or discard it, she grew to be a mighty oak because of it. Her arms stretched out in every direction in which she saw a need. Having been bullied and made fun of as a child, she refused to allow herself to turn on anyone just because they were different from her in some way. She went from rags to rhinestones but she never forgot where she came from.

Dolly poured back into her own community through Dollywood and then singlehandedly took on illiteracy. This is where my heart connects to hers. She knew, from experience, that education was important to breaking the cycle of poverty. She knew that the sooner children begin to hear stories the sooner their brains form connections. Her Imagination Library Foundation gives away free books to every child under the age of 5, every single month. To me, it is the single most amazing thing she did. As an educator I am baffled at how she pulled it off such a mammoth task outside of our educational system. She was just an individual with a dream who used her platform and wealth to educate children.

She held fast to her faith. She ascribed to the truth that it was her job to love people and glorify God. She accepted, loved, cared about everyone, no matter their background or lifestyle. In living her beliefs publicly, she demonstrated the gospel rather than preaching it. She could’ve easily lived her life without giving back. Just taken her success and run with it. But her character was to express love and compassion. She gave and gave and gave, not to gain acclaim but to serve others. Often anonymously.

Her life, her career, her dreams paved the way for the women who followed her footsteps. She wasn’t a push over; she was fierce. She was an astute businesswoman, yet she was big-hearted. She was hilarious and humble. Never took herself too seriously or thought of herself as better than others. She was inspired and inspiring. Her dreams were enormous and continuous. And she changed the world because of it.

If I had to pick one word for Dolly, out of all the words, I would pick KIND; to have a friendly, generous and considerate nature; caring and gentle. A simple word, but in today’s world it is fleeting. In everything she did, she was kind. I think that is something she would encourage us all to aspire to. Dolly will be missed but her legacy will live on for generations because of her kindness. I’m sure she is singing praises to God now. Surrounded by those who went before her.