I was writing another installment of the blog on Tuesday when a friend called me with the news of Dolly’s passing.

It was 1974 that my first remaining memory of Dolly took place. Study Hall was held in the high school library and a radio was playing Jolene. One of my classmates starting singing along with the song to mock both her and the lyrics.

In 1978 I bought an album by BJ Thomas that had “Here You Come Again.” BJ did a great job with the song and to hear Dolly’s version a few months later really captured my attention. Her album was my first Dolly Parton purchase.

Sometime in the winter of 1982 I went to bed and was awakened from sleep with a strong impulse to pray for Dolly. Years later I read in her autobiography that that was a dark time for Dolly. She spent a year trying to regain her grounding and then she kept being the very best she could be.

Thank you, Dolly, for what you did for so many. Your legacy of music will continue forever. Your kindness and generosity made the world a better place.

Thanks to God for being Dolly”s motivation.

Dolly, you didn’t bury your talent. We are better people because you provided a wonderful example. Yes, you were Jesus with skin on.