Daily Gratitude: “The measure of a life is not what you consume, but what you contribute.”

I’m sure there are better quotes to commemorate the life of Dolly Parton but this sums up her iconic 80 years. This woman contributed so much that many of us don’t even know about.

She was an amazing musician yes. But did you know she wrote over 3000 songs?

Her appearance took over and when people criticized or made fun of it, she joked – “people think I’m just a dumb blonde. That’s ok because I know I’m not dumb…and I’m not blonde”. Or, “it takes a lot of money to look this cheap.” She knew what she really was – deep inside. And that’s what she showed us with her philanthropic deeds.

One of the doctors who worked on the Covid vaccine said her gift of one million dollars toward vaccine research at Vanderbilt sped up its creation or production 10 times.

Have you ever heard of her Imagination Library? Her daddy couldn’t read or write and she wanted every child to be able to reach their dreams. She knew that would be facilitated via books. So, she sends books to kids all over the world and over 300 MILLION books have been distributed. It was her passion almost as much as singing was.

This woman was an astute business woman too as you can tell from all her business ventures.

She loved people and she loved her husband. I personally believe she died from a broken heart and she was ready to be with Carl.

Find me someone who didn’t and doesn’t respect the phenomenal Dolly Parton. May she rest in peace.