I adored my friend Dolly Parton for her massive heart. The world knew her extraordinary voice, her wit, her sparkle and her unmistakable presence. But I was blessed to see another side of Dolly—the woman behind the cameras, when there was no audience and nothing to gain except the chance to bring someone else a little hope.
We toured pediatric cancer facilities together, and I will never forget watching the children light up when Dolly walked into the room. She brought her bright light into some of the darkest moments a family can endure.
But she didn’t just visit. She stayed.
She patiently sat with children struggling with cancer. She listened to them, laughed with them, held their hands and somehow gave them a little more energy and courage to fight the battles ahead. That was Dolly. Her greatest gift wasn’t the music. It was her heart.
She was an angel on earth, and I know she is still an angel today.