Introduction
I recently came across an old photo that instantly took me back to one of the most unforgettable days of my life — the day Dolly Parton visited Schuyler County, Missouri. It must have been August of 2005. The memory is still so vivid it feels like yesterday.
We were driving past the Greentop sign when suddenly Dolly shouted, “Stop the car!” Before anyone could even process what was happening, she had already opened the door, stepped out, and started running straight through the weeds toward the sign like an excited kid on an adventure. No hesitation. No concern about dirt or appearances. Just pure, spontaneous joy. Judy, her personal assistant, quickly grabbed a disposable Kodak camera and snapped the photo — a simple camera, yet it captured a moment that feels larger than life.
That’s who Dolly is. Genuine. Fearless. Completely present.
But what makes that day even more extraordinary is what was happening in my own life at the time. I had just been released from the hospital after battling a life-threatening illness. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and simply grateful to be home. Walking through my front door, still fragile and trying to adjust to being out of danger, I never expected what I saw next.
Dolly Parton was standing in my living room.
Not on a stage. Not on television. Not surrounded by flashing lights. Just there — in my home — bringing warmth, comfort, and a kind of light that no spotlight could ever replicate. In one of the most vulnerable moments of my life, she showed up.
That photo from the Greentop sign captures more than a spontaneous roadside stop. It represents kindness, humility, and a heart big enough to change someone’s darkest days into something unforgettable.
Some celebrities entertain. Some inspire. But Dolly? She shows up.
And that’s why I will always say it proudly — I absolutely LOVE that lady.