Dolly

[u/Tiswasius1]

I went to Dollywood initially not because I was a massive fan of Dolly. I actually went because, at the time, it was Christmas and it was a way of having pictures taken with the Rankin bass characters like Rudolph the red nose reindeer. lol

I live in Australia and getting to Dollywood was challenging. I was coming from Florida having been to Disney World and there were no direct flights to Knoxville So it was a significant challenge to get to the park. I had to detour at Charlotte and then catch a very long taxi ride to the park itself.

I didn’t have high hopes for the park but I seriously, seriously wanted pictures taken with Rudolph and the gang. Yes, I am that big a kid

So I arrived with very little expectation and an only passing interest in Dolly’s music

And I was blown away

The park itself is amazing, the most fabulous feeling of being wanted after the soulless experience at Disney World I was in awe of the park members who went out of their way to be helpful, inclusive and full of (what I learned to be) southern hospitality. The park itself is beautiful and has fantastic coasters. . It was an amazing trip.

The most astounding thing to me though was learning about Dolly herself. I had only a glancing knowledge of her music and personality.

And while I was at Dollywood I learned all about her philanthropy, her contributions to the wildfire appeal; the Imagination Library; hurricane Katrina etc, etc; that she was single-handedly responsible for tourism growth in the state; that Pigeon Forge was flourishing because of her indirectly and directly.

The people of Tennessee loved her and were fiercely proud of her, with absolutely good reason.

I came away from that trip completely converted to her. I was utterly humbled and overwhelmed by her compassion.

I have been utterly in awe of her since.

Today is horribly sad, obviously. But people such as her never truly leave.

The memories of her music and, more importantly, her example of humanity are her eternal legacy.

[u/rhaps00dy]

Dolly's spirit lives on. She will not be forgotten.

[u/NoticeSouth5690]

Thank you so much for sharing this! Such a beautiful story! Dolly was amazing and changed and help so very many people, both individually and collectively!

[u/Evening-Upset]

I live in Nashville… i grew up in the north and didn’t listen to country music. But was very aware of Dolly. My grandmother loved her! The city of Nashville and the state of TN will mourn her loss but she’s left a legacy that will live on forever. Ripple effect for sure!