Thank you, Dolly

More than 10 people reached out to me yesterday with some version of, “I’m so sorry, Jessi.”

You would think I had lost a loved one.

In reality, the world lost Dolly Parton—someone I never had the chance to meet, but who I spent most of my life looking up to (and apparently talking about a lot… I mean, I had people from all corners of my life reaching out).

I grew up listening to the Kenny & Dolly Christmas album (still the best Christmas album ever), but as I got older, I came to appreciate the woman herself even more.

How everyone seemed to love her. How she modeled philanthropy, generosity, and a deep love for family (while being childfree) and community. Her work ethic. Her love of reading, which even inspired me to care for two Little Free Libraries. Her brain, her heart, her songwriting, her business sense—she had it all.

She has always been a role model of mine. In times of uncertainty, it’s good to ask the age-old question: What would Dolly do?

I heard the news today while we were at a DCEDC event at the Egyptian Theatre, and the news quickly spread through the room as the event wrapped. Honestly, I can’t think of a better place to have heard it. The staff queued up Dolly over the theatre speakers, and that’s how I’ll forever remember that moment.

Maybe it’s a little odd to hold a celebrity on such a pedestal. But really, has there ever been one who deserved it more?

There will never be another Dolly.