r/popculturechat • u/JennaElizabethAdams Excluded from this narrative ❌ • Aug 26 '26
Rest In Peace 🕊 A letter that Dolly would send through her Imagination Library when a child would age out of the program
This makes me cry all over again. Dolly's generosity shone in all aspects of her life. I hope so many sweet children kept on reading because of her. 😭
3.5k
u/Imaginary-Order-6905 Aug 26 '26
one of the kids on our street said yesterday: "Oh no! Now i won't get my birthday message!" Dolly would send a sweet personalized birthday message to the kids enrolled in the program. Mine always looked forward to it.
1.3k
u/mindovermatter15 Aug 26 '26 edited Sep 08 '26
It's an unlisted YouTube video, so as long as people share it, every kid can still get their birthday video from Ms. Dolly 😊
617
u/Good4nowbut Aug 26 '26
Couldn’t help but tear up at the “I will always love you” sign off. I believe her.
338
u/propernice get your litigation wigs on Aug 26 '26
It’s the same feeling when Mr. Rogers said we were special just the way we are. Now I gotta go cry again brb
62
u/Sloth_grl Aug 27 '26
Have you seen the youtube video of him talking in senate for money and then talking to a kid in a wheelchair?
66
u/hydrangeasinbloom Not generally, no. Aug 27 '26
No but please don’t do this to me right now I’m very fragile
28
3
11
62
u/BilboTBagginz Aug 26 '26
It got me too. 56 year old man sitting here tearing up.
42
Aug 26 '26
[deleted]
27
u/Remarkable-Month-241 Aug 27 '26
Today, my boss told me it was okay to cry. Doesn’t matter what age. Just let it out friends.
I reserved my tears til now but fuck it hurts.
48
8
19
u/ComfortablyNomNom Aug 27 '26
She was being genuine. You can feel the realness because she is being completely and wholly true. She loved and cared for everyone.
5
u/A_Bot_A_Bot_A_Bot Aug 27 '26
OMG. I'm in tears now. And you're right--she did love you. And me. And everybody. She really did. It wasn't a gimmick for "likes and clicks and subscribes." It came from her enormous heart.
3
30
u/Racxie Aug 26 '26
It was my birthday 3 weeks ago today. I needed this. Thank you.
16
u/Organic_Berry_8732 Aug 26 '26
I’m not as good as Dolly, but happy belated birthday!
13
u/Racxie Aug 26 '26
Haha thanks. Definitely gets harder as you get older when so many people in your life drift away and you’re lucky if the ones you have left even remember.
3
19
22
10
u/Adventurous-Dog420 Aug 26 '26
There is so many people cutting onions around me today is unbelievable.
5
→ More replies (4)3
341
u/StasRutt unapologetic joy Aug 26 '26
Yes my son loved his. He also asked me if she was no longer going to send books because he sweetly thought she was just packing them up and sending them directly to him
280
u/mindovermatter15 Aug 26 '26
My son had the same thought and was worried too, I told him that Ms. Dolly's friends will keep sending them since she can't do it herself anymore.
56
u/gekkogeckogirl Aug 26 '26
Why did this make me tear up!?
→ More replies (1)78
u/Admirable-Law7150 Aug 26 '26
same. I have a 2 year old who abdolutely loves being read to every night. We dont do the imagination library because we are in a position to purchase the books when its time for new ones, wouldnt feel right taking books from other kids. my wife and I will be making a big donation this year to the imagination library. hearing how many kids are excited about getting their books makes me choke up.
76
u/fatboy93 Aug 26 '26
I signed up my son when he was 1 (he's 4 now), and we have all the books saved, read more often than not.
We moved to the US in late 2022, and getting the book in mail was one of the best things to happen to us, it showed someone out there in this country cared for us.
Genuinely one of the most upsetting news in 2026.
94
47
u/SlimmShady26 Aug 26 '26
My kid cried when he found out Dolly died. He thought she wouldn’t be sending books anymore and says “thanks Dolly Parton” every time he reads one from them.
→ More replies (1)41
u/IamLegba Aug 27 '26
We had to talk to our daughter about this too. She thought Dolly was just a nice family friend sending her books all the time.
→ More replies (1)22
u/StasRutt unapologetic joy Aug 27 '26
That’s exactly what my son assumed lol which is so sweet that multiple children have felt this way
15
→ More replies (12)12
867
u/deltamgn Aug 26 '26
i honestly didn’t know about the imagination library until her death yesterday. it’s amazing what she’s done for others.
may she rest in peace 🤍
322
u/Miserable-Debt-8390 Aug 26 '26
Wait until you find out about the Covid vaccine. She indirectly saved millions of lives.
214
u/Practical-Vanilla-41 Aug 26 '26
She was a great person in many ways.
Elvis did an appearance on Ed Sullivan that included taking the polio vaccine. It was necessary to help people overcome their fear. Dolly did the same with Covid.
82
u/budgetjoke2123 Aug 26 '26
She also donated $1 million to fund the creation of the Moderna vaccine.
25
u/AceTheSkylord Aug 27 '26
The worst part about the Elvis anecdote is that if this happened today, he'd get criticized by a large portion of the crowd for "selling out"
→ More replies (1)22
106
u/cigaretteashmouth Aug 26 '26 edited Aug 26 '26
She gave each family who lost their home in the 2016 Pigeon Forge wild fires $10,000. Over 900 families. Truly an angel ♥️
Eta - total assistance was around 12 million.
38
u/kadyg Aug 26 '26
I was trying to sign up a friend of mine who’s about to have a baby but they don’t have it in my zip code! I’m on the notification list for when it starts and until then, I guess I’m going to have to buy that kid books myself. Gotta keep the spirit alive!
11
u/natsugrayerza Aug 27 '26
They didn’t have it in my zip code so my MIL signed my son up and put our address! Idk how she did it but it worked, and we get the books
49
15
u/delicateredscrunchie Dear Diary, I want to kill. ✍️ Aug 27 '26
I work for a public library and its a HUGE program, I truly think every kid should sign up for it.
9
u/cptnamr7 Aug 27 '26
I had known for years because of Reddit but then it only became available in my area a year or so ago. Kids age out at 5 so we got like 13-14 books out of it but he LOVED every time a new one would show up in the mail and had to read it immediately, curled up on the couch together. She brought us all some great moments and I really hope we see the program expand even more now as a silver lining.
→ More replies (1)3
u/cupcakecookiepie Aug 27 '26
My daughter lives in Nashville. When she gave birth to my grandbaby, she said that they didn’t even have to sign up for it at the hospital. The books just started showing up at her house. He’s only 3 so he still gets one every month. There is a mini library in his room full of all those books. Thank you Dolly🩷 What a priceless and generous gift.
766
u/chooseshoes Aug 26 '26
My son got his last book and his final letter from Dolly in May. Five years of books from Dolly. 🥹
I will continue to donate to the Imagination Library.
91
u/renxor Aug 26 '26
We got ours then too. I cried before it came because I knew it was coming since our older son participated in the program as well
9
u/JadeAnn88 Aug 27 '26
I don't know if it's different for everyone (I imagine they pick out one specific book for each month, so it's unlikely that it is), but our last book was about starting kindergarten. My youngest has an end of summer birthday, so I do think it was just a coincidence, but the combination of those things, sending my last child off to school and the end of our monthly books, messed me up. I cried for days.
We live in East TN, so I've always talked Dolly up to my kids. They grew up on her books, visiting Dollywood, and seeing the impact she's had on so many, but particularly in our small part of the world. Just last week my teenager and I were having a conversation and she insisted that we make Dolly president lol. To say her loss was devastating in our house is an understatement.
6
u/renxor Aug 27 '26
I think everyone starts and ends with the same book. Both of our kids got the Kindergarten book for their last book and one has an April birthday and the other has a June birthday.
30
u/ArtisticBee6176 Aug 26 '26
My daughter turned five in January. I was so sad to have her age out of it. It was such a fun surprise to see what she got each month. Truly a wonderful program!
23
u/lily4ever It's....... Rebekah Vardy's account. Aug 26 '26
My son turns 5 this May ❤️🩹 it will be so bittersweet to receive this letter
10
u/-Kilgore_Trout- Aug 26 '26
My daughter got her last book from Dolly just last week. I had her enrolled since the day she was born. Farewell Dolly.
→ More replies (2)9
u/alittlepunchy Aug 27 '26
I’m so bummed because Missouri cut the funding for it. We have 1 more year and I doubt we will get to finish it out because they are only sending books until funds run out. 😭
417
475
u/mortimelons Aug 26 '26
I can just hear her voice reading this. What phenomenal, inspirational, uplifting woman.
228
u/PaleontologistNo5420 Aug 26 '26
When I got to the "I bet your school" part of the letter I started weeping. Such a casual, approachable way to address a child who is about to embark on the journey that is schooling. I will miss Dolly so so so much.
68
u/uppy-puppy internationally-tolerated acoustic guitarist Aug 26 '26
I did the same. I heard her voice as I read and the tears started pouring out.
Tonight I’m gonna watch Steel Magnolias with my daughter, just like my mom used to watch with me. I take comfort in the idea that my mom is able to have a cocktail with Dolly now, wherever they may be.
24
4
7
u/East_Quail_1824 Aug 26 '26
Man. I’ve held back the tears until reading this letter. Oh what a treasure she was.
155
u/peach_bellinis Aug 26 '26
Jesus, well now I'm sobbing. She was so special and cared so deeply. This is such a tremendous loss.
91
u/lavendergirl22 Aug 26 '26
This made me tear up too! So encouraging to young readers. RIP Dolly!
9
u/twizzwhizz11 It’s like I have ESPN or something. 💁♀️🌤☔️ Aug 26 '26
Same! As a reader and lover of libraries, I can’t even imagine how many young kids she’s inspired to be the same ❤️
60
81
u/TheBrontosaurus Aug 27 '26
My daughter sobbed and begged to be four again when she learned Miss Dolly wouldn’t be sending her any more books. She calmed down when I assured her we could keep the books Miss Dolly gave her and we can go to the library when we want more. She will occasionally sigh and say “Miss Dolly is so nice” then get back to whatever she was doing. She just occasionally needs to voice that thought.
If I could choose my legacy children thinking I’m nice would be pretty high on my list.
→ More replies (1)18
u/JennaElizabethAdams Excluded from this narrative ❌ Aug 27 '26
This is my favorite story about a child aging out of the program that I've seen today. Ms Dolly was beloved by young end old and so incredibly nice. Also, from a book hoarder, you're the best mom! ❤️
57
u/Cyberhaggis We Should All Know Less About Each Other Aug 26 '26
Rest in power. Dolly was a real one.
47
u/Available-Towel-70 Aug 26 '26
We got this letter/book earlier on the year and I couldn’t read it out loud to my child without choking up. I can’t bring myself to read it again yet 😭
75
u/miss_kittycat88 Sir Lewis Hamilton Kardashian Stan 😍 Aug 26 '26
I’m pregnant with my first, and was already planning on signing up my little one for Dolly’s imagination library. Her passing has made me so emotional thinking about reading to my baby. 😭
60
u/Imaginary-Order-6905 Aug 26 '26
the first book is The Little Engine That Could, and there's a message from Dolly in the front <3
14
u/awolfsvalentine Aug 26 '26
I think it’s different depending on your county. My nephew always got different ones than my daughter
6
u/17stormyduck Aug 27 '26
Some programs order extra copies of The Little Engine that Could for launch events and then opt out of sending that to kids. There’s a setting to choose whether a new registrant gets Little Engine as their first book or starts right in with the scheduled monthly book.
11
u/Background_Ice_7568 Aug 26 '26
It is the absolute best thing in the world, and my favorite thing to do with my little girl. She loves when we read, and I love reading to her
35
30
u/PipsyDizzle Aug 26 '26
I don't know that I'll ever be able to not cry when I hear about Dolly now....she was such a beautiful light in what feels like a dark time. It actually hurts thinking she's gone, but my only consolation is that she's back with her beloved husband 😭
20
23
u/blessup_ Aug 26 '26
My state cut the funding for this program last year so we never got this letter 💔
32
u/Groundbreaking_War52 Aug 26 '26
Imagine how spineless and craven you need to be to cut a tiny line item like a child literacy program while extending massive tax breaks to multinational corporations and their endless track record of broken promises.
19
u/fran_glass Aug 26 '26
She spread so much happiness and kindness in the world. What an example to us all. Rest in peace, Dolly.
19
u/ilikecats415 Aug 26 '26
One of the first things I did after I heard about Dolly's passing was donate to the Imagination Library. You can even specify which affiliate program you'd like your donation to go to if you want your money to impact your own local community.
Dolly was a treasure.
14
u/hgielatan Aug 26 '26
Friendly reminder that Dolly could have been a billionaire several times over but instead thought it was more important to foster a love of reading in children and other worthy causes.
I can't believe she was called home while the orange turd tyrant continues to exist and McConnell is just chilling in the crisper.......the most unfair :(
13
u/Consistent-Stop-3839 Aug 27 '26
My daughter thinks Dolly is her aunt who lives far away and sends her books because she loves her. And honestly? She kind of is! 😭🥹
→ More replies (1)
11
u/MysteriousMermaid92 full of hotdogs and Tito’s Aug 26 '26
My son will age out of the imagination library in a couple of years. I wonder if he’ll get the same message, or will they change it? 😭
9
11
u/OriginalSchmidt1 You’re a virgin who can’t drive. 😤 Aug 26 '26
The I will always love you at the end really got me.. I’m crying y’all.
10
u/JungleJay57 Aug 26 '26
I heard her sweet, kind voice as I was reading that. She was truly a beautiful soul that made this world a brighter place.
10
u/Vast_Doughnut9418 Instant gratification takes too long 🫦 Aug 26 '26
This morning my eyes were swollen from crying yesterday. She really was an angel.
8
u/hawkeyethor I ❤️ Chris Hemsworth Aug 26 '26
This is the sweetest. Dolly's contribution to child literacy helped so many families. I think I'm gonna cry. 😢
9
Aug 27 '26
I got this exact letter when my kid aged out of her program. We have about 10 books on our shelf from the imagination library. I didn’t keep the letter, but my kid insisted we get a library card after she read it.
We go to the library once a week now. We check out books, movies, and even video games! My kid loves to listen to audiobooks. We got her a cassette player so she could listen to the older books. It has helped her SO MUCH.
And I hate to say it, because it makes me feel like a bad parent, but I don’t think we would have done it if we didn’t receive that letter.
Dolly was a god damned SAINT. I’m so sad that we lost her. It was her time and I accept that. But a bright light was turned off when she died. I hope to god that someone will take her place.
7
u/MRAGGGAN Aug 26 '26
It has always made me so sad that my area is not part of the imagination library.
I tried various times over both my girls (now 7 & 3) lives to sign up, but it isn’t here.
13
u/ubeeu Aug 26 '26
Our red governor here in MO cancelled it (apparently it needs some same funding, I don’t really understand). Can’t have kids learning to read and feeling empowered and loved!
6
u/TheBewitchingWitch Aug 26 '26
My school received books from the Imagination Library. We also received a letter from Dolly and we were so grateful for her generosity.
9
u/PossibleActuary2324 Aug 26 '26
When my daughter got her letter earlier this year I couldn’t read it aloud without getting choked up.
5
7
u/Team_Snax Aug 26 '26 edited Aug 26 '26
How many fucking times am i gonna cut onions over a woman i never got to meet. I'll never give brits shit over Diana again. The world is a little darker without her in it but her inspiration will live on. Source: avid reader from a poor family who had imagination library as a child.
6
u/cecesakura go girl, give us nothing 😍 Aug 27 '26
WE SAID “DONNY” NOT “DOLLY”
https://giphy.com/gifs/o9LbqjcDkDf9oPGJVg
→ More replies (1)
5
u/Humble_Initiative_90 Aug 27 '26
Most people who make it are known forever by how they got there. Her true legacy will be her philanthropic work.
6
5
4
4
u/LazyRiver115 Aug 26 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/26ufknhq5vk4OLOPS
“You and all your friends are very special”
5
8
u/Wesmom2021 Aug 26 '26
Thank you Dolly! My son never got his last letter or book because Trump ended program in my area few months ago. But we appreciate all books we got Dolly! ❤️❤️
9
u/cookiecutterdoll Aug 27 '26
Every time I think I've cried enough, something else pops up that makes me tear up again... which makes me feel silly because I don't think she ever wanted anyone to be sad over her.
6
u/JennaElizabethAdams Excluded from this narrative ❌ Aug 27 '26
Crying while reading this. It's just so sad. Dolly would want us to be happy because she is healed and with loved ones. 😭
5
4
u/bolanrox Aug 26 '26
and i am crying all over again. (or when my oldest aged out of one of those what to expect week to week from pregnancy: 8 years old. emails)
3
3
3
u/Halloweenkristy Aug 26 '26
Okay, this made me choke up. I've never seen it before. Yes, you can be anything in this world, kids. Please be like Dolly.
4
4
u/Pickle4UrThoughts Your attitude is biblical. Aug 27 '26
I feel like I cheated my kids out of something so very special by not enrolling them....
5
u/JennaElizabethAdams Excluded from this narrative ❌ Aug 27 '26
I mean, I sort of wish I could have relived my childhood even before this happened....I would sign up for this in a heartbeat.
4
u/Ok-Turnip-9035 Aug 27 '26
She is now at rest , out of any pain and went back to her husband yesterday
BUT
I keep finding out things she would do - I knew she had her money everywhere helping out but I am today years old to find out about this program - a lot of good went to meet its maker yesterday🕊️🤍
4
u/CheesyRomantic Aug 27 '26
I so wanted my children to receive her books. Unfortunately this program wasn't available in my area.
What a beautiful treasure Dolly was.
5
u/mschellbell Aug 27 '26
Our county was finally included in Dolly's Imagination Library about 9 months ago and my daughter has been able to participate mid-way through. My kids get so excited every month when their new "Dolly book" comes. Knowing that we'll likely receive this letter in another year and a half feels bittersweet. Reading it now just brought tears to my eyes. I didn't know much about Dolly during her life unfortunately, but I feel her love and generosity with each book she sends. What a kind and loving soul...I aspire to be more like Dolly.
4
u/TraditionalLaw7763 The dude abides. 🙂↕️🍃 Aug 27 '26
Every local election, I would write her name in our ballot against this one mean dude that always ran unopposed. I figured she would be hella better.
4
u/MotherOfDragons_6889 Aug 27 '26
My son literally got his Tuesday morning on his 5th bday. Read it not knowing she had passed until later 😭
3
u/JennaElizabethAdams Excluded from this narrative ❌ Aug 27 '26
Lawd...now I'm crying again. The first part is so precious, but the second part is so undeniably sad. 😭
4
u/BitchLasagna84 Aug 27 '26
Mmmmkay, I did not plan on crying today but here we are… oh you better have had the greatest welcome home possible Miss Dolly! 😭🩷
3
u/Odd_Philosophy_8452 Aug 26 '26
This is cute. I didn’t know her but I’ll miss the positivity she spread. Listening to her music on repeat. 🔁
3
u/88kitkat808 Aug 26 '26
What an inspirational angel 😇. If only a few of these billionaires would get inspired by her…
3
3
u/SPYcWyng Aug 26 '26
My son just turned 5 in March and started kindergarten this week. He had been getting books through her program for years, and was brought so much joy every time we got one in the mailbox. This program is such an amazing thing that we need more of in the world. RIP Dolly.
3
u/casto93 Aug 26 '26
My daughter is enrolled in Imagination Library right now… I just sat at my work desk and cried a little after reading this. 🥲
3
3
u/neptunestearsok Aug 26 '26
My little guy is still a baby but he got one of his imagination library books yesterday and I about cried..
3
u/diskoboxx Ben Affleck’s cigarette Aug 26 '26
My daughter is about to turn 5 and I’m not ready for this. Both of my kids LOVE their Dolly books so much. She was such a gift to the world.
3
3
3
3
u/MRLive2Learn Aug 26 '26
If MAGA gets its way, there won’t be any books left in school libraries. It’s horrible that they endorse banning and, even for some, burning books. Dolly opened doors for literacy that MAGA is slamming shut. Thanks for the amazing gift Dolly gave all of us in helping with literacy!
3
u/smashley4915 Aug 26 '26
I am so incredibly sad that our county didn’t have funding to keep the program going. My son just turned 5 and he loved getting books from ms dolly. I think it was about a year ago we stopped getting them 😭 and my youngest will never get them. Such a shame
→ More replies (2)
3
u/admijosco05 Aug 26 '26
Our first son just got his earlier this month…I cried reading it, and then she passed away and it broke me. What a woman!
3
u/Lala_1302 Aug 26 '26
She also sent you a link to a video of her singing happy birthday when it was your kid's birthday 💙
3
u/PierreOnTheEclair Local Superstar Dealer 🌟 Aug 26 '26
My mom put me in that program, such a remarkable woman. R.I.P 💔🕊️
3
3
u/Putrid_Appearance509 Aug 26 '26
I never had a single adult speak to me like this as a child. I am weeping. Thank you for sharing.
3
3
3
u/so_unfortunately_yt Aug 27 '26
That “I will always love you” at the end just ruined me. Goodnight everyone.
3
3
u/envy-adams mount rose american teen princess Aug 27 '26
I remember getting this letter when my oldest aged out! It was such a sweet gesture
3
u/City-Sugar-Rita Aug 27 '26
Im glad to have been around while Dolly was alive. She brightened my life and I will miss her.
3
u/Sallyfifth Aug 27 '26
I've managed to hold it together until now, but this has me crying on the floor of my closet.
3
3
u/Bridubz94 Aug 27 '26
I cried when both my kids got their age out letters. What a gift she and her imagination library are!
3
3
u/Responsible-Slide206 Aug 27 '26
OMG 🥺I just started to tear up again. Dolly was goodness and light! Oh how she will be missed but now she’s back with her Carl Dean and parents so that’s a blessing.
3
u/Marajak Aug 27 '26
Thanks for sharing. This world sure needs a whole lot of Dollys. She left us too soon. But I think her family will continue her legacy. I sure hope they do.
An amazing loving lady. We should all be like Dolly and not the hate filled MAGAts.
3
u/acerbicmom Aug 27 '26
Now she does a video!! My granddaughter has received these books every month and she started kindergarten THIS year. We got the video just a few months ago and sobbed. Now Dolly passed away and it hit even harder! RIP Dolly, you wonderful shining star.
3
u/Sad_Rooster2898 Aug 28 '26
Oh gosh I cried both times this kindergarten book arrived for my kids. I still can’t read it without choking up.
3
3
3
4
u/whenisnowthen Aug 27 '26
So many people around the world mourning the loss of this beautiful soul is an extraordinary testament to the truly wonderful things she managed to do in her time here with us. Smart, shrewd business woman, brilliant musical talent, great sense of humor, caring and motivated to help people and influence others to help as well. A life truly very well lived.
2
u/Ornery-Tumbleweed104 Aug 26 '26
We love the Imagination Library! My older boys didn't get a letter when they aged out. My youngest just got his book a few days ago.
2
u/SoggyScience4482 Aug 26 '26
My daughter aged out earlier this year & the letter was the sweetest thing.
RIP to an icon
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
u/Beneficial-Rip6624 Aug 26 '26
My kids LOVE Dolly because she sent them both books and they love to read.
2
u/Solid-Passenger-1694 Aug 26 '26
Although I knew of her Imagination Library, I really never considered the effects it was having.
However, after reading the hundreds of stories, it really does put into perspective the real world impact of her vision.
Any yeah, I'm a grown man, and am shedding tears of sadness at such a loss, yet, also tears of thankfulness, at the joy and hope that she's brought to millions of children around the world.
2
u/Money_is_heinous Aug 26 '26
She was just an absolute gorgeous person - she was truly one of a kind. I usually hate celeb false idol worship but she was due it all with her charities and love for everyone. Can't believe we've lost her.
2
u/leostotch Aug 26 '26
We lose her and we get to keep... what we get to keep. What a fucking tragedy.
2
u/Dukelax510 Aug 26 '26
We just got ours last week. Feels terrible. Was such an incredible program and my son still adores so many of the books she sent through this program ♥️
2
2
2
•
u/pccmodbot Aug 26 '26
Welcome to r/popculturechat! ☺️ THE POPCULTURECHAT DISCORD SERVER IS NOW LIVE 👾 ❤️🔥 🎉 Click HERE to join! 📲
As a proud BIPOC, LGBTQ+ & woman-dominated space, this sub is for civil discussion only. If you don't know where to begin, start by participating in our Sip & Spill Daily Discussion Threads!
No bullies, no bigotry. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Please read & respect our rules, abide by Reddiquette, and check out our wiki! For any questions, our modmail is always open.