Happy 80th Birthday, Dolly!

If you could meet anyone in the world, who would you pick?

My answer is always the same. Dolly Parton.

It’s not just that I love country music, and I imagine that’s true of many of Dolly’s fans. It’s that Dolly seems so genuine and accessible. When she sings, she speaks with heart and soul, with care and compassion. She’s such a talented songwriter and storyteller! She has written thousands—yes, thousands—of songs with such creativity and artistry. She also seems incredibly generous. She has given more than 300 million books to children through her Imagination Library.

I think Dolly could happily talk to anyone at length, and somehow, I know she and I would never run out of things to say.

Dolly is on my mind, of course, because she is turning 80 this week. For her birthday, Dolly joined other incredible vocalists to rerecord “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.” When I listened to the remake, I was struck by the beauty of this gift from Dolly. It’s a song of hope and comfort and strength at a time when we can all use more of that. It’s also a song of faith.

That’s one of my favorite aspects of Dolly’s writing and her work and her life—the way she clearly lives and demonstrates faith. She has faith in humanity, faith in a greater purpose, faith in God, faith in the future. I know Dolly isn’t Catholic. But we are Christians, and we are believers, and we are both trying to live each day taking one more step on the way to heaven—we hope.

She doesn’t always say it directly. She doesn’t have to. It comes through in her music—as she uses the gifts God has given her to give the world a little more light, a little more beauty, a little more joy.

Dolly’s songs help others feel less alone. She brings us along on life’s journey, so we know that we are not the only ones experiencing sorrow or challenge or darkness or love. She shines a light on the emotions of ordinary life in powerful, memorable songs.

How fortunate are we that God has given Dolly 80 years—and counting—on earth. May he give her many more. And, though few of us will ever sing at the Grand Ole Opry, may each of us find a way to use the talents God has given us to bring compassion, connection, and joy to others.

Happy birthday, Dolly!

Caption: Posing with a cardboard cutout of Dolly Parton at a friend’s house a few years ago.

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