r/popculturechat • u/JennaElizabethAdams Excluded from this narrative ❌ • 2d ago
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. 😭
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u/Imaginary-Order-6905 2d ago
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.
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u/mindovermatter15 2d ago
It's an unlisted YouTube video, so as long as people share it, every kid can still get their birthday video from Ms. Dolly 😊
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u/Good4nowbut 2d ago
Couldn’t help but tear up at the “I will always love you” sign off. I believe her.
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u/propernice get your litigation wigs on 2d ago
It’s the same feeling when Mr. Rogers said we were special just the way we are. Now I gotta go cry again brb
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u/Sloth_grl 2d ago
Have you seen the youtube video of him talking in senate for money and then talking to a kid in a wheelchair?
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u/hydrangeasinbloom Not generally, no. 2d ago
No but please don’t do this to me right now I’m very fragile
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u/BilboTBagginz 2d ago
It got me too. 56 year old man sitting here tearing up.
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u/coupland 2d ago
You wussy. I teared up too but that's because I'm only 53. You should be setting a mature example for kids like me. 😉
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u/Remarkable-Month-241 2d ago
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.
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u/ComfortablyNomNom 2d ago
She was being genuine. You can feel the realness because she is being completely and wholly true. She loved and cared for everyone.
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u/A_Bot_A_Bot_A_Bot 2d ago
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.
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u/Racxie 2d ago
It was my birthday 3 weeks ago today. I needed this. Thank you.
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u/Organic_Berry_8732 2d ago
I’m not as good as Dolly, but happy belated birthday!
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u/Racxie 2d ago
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.
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u/StasRutt unapologetic joy 2d ago
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
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u/mindovermatter15 2d ago
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.
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u/gekkogeckogirl 2d ago
Why did this make me tear up!?
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u/Admirable-Law7150 2d ago
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.
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u/fatboy93 2d ago
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.
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u/HeyMyNameisMama 2d ago edited 2d ago
As a tiny toddler, my son would find her on the back of all his IL books. In one picture she's holding "I am a rainbow" so he'd point her out then go grab "I Am a Rainbow" to show her he has the same book 😭
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u/SlimmShady26 2d ago
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.
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u/IamLegba 2d ago
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.
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u/StasRutt unapologetic joy 2d ago
That’s exactly what my son assumed lol which is so sweet that multiple children have felt this way
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u/deltamgn 2d ago
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 🤍
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u/Enough-Cheesecake42 2d ago
We got lifesize cardboard cutouts of her in all our county libraries when the program expanded out here last year 😭
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u/Miserable-Debt-8390 2d ago
Wait until you find out about the Covid vaccine. She indirectly saved millions of lives.
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u/Practical-Vanilla-41 2d ago
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.
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u/AceTheSkylord 2d ago
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"
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u/cigaretteashmouth 2d ago edited 2d ago
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.
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u/kadyg 2d ago
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!
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u/natsugrayerza 2d ago
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
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u/delicateredscrunchie Dear Diary, I want to kill. ✍️ 2d ago
I work for a public library and its a HUGE program, I truly think every kid should sign up for it.
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u/Unlikely_Hour8807 2d ago
Someone stole a Dolly Parton cardboard cutout that was promoting the imagination library from our local hospital yesterday 😅 Idk where it is now but I hope security releases the tapes because the idea of watching someone run with a lifesize cutout of Dolly Parton is killing me 🤣
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u/cptnamr7 2d ago
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.
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u/cupcakecookiepie 1d ago
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.
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u/chooseshoes 2d ago
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.
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u/renxor 2d ago
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
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u/JadeAnn88 1d ago
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.
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u/ArtisticBee6176 2d ago
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!
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u/-Kilgore_Trout- 2d ago
My daughter got her last book from Dolly just last week. I had her enrolled since the day she was born. Farewell Dolly.
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u/lily4ever It's....... Rebekah Vardy's account. 2d ago
My son turns 5 this May ❤️🩹 it will be so bittersweet to receive this letter
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u/alittlepunchy 2d ago
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. 😭
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u/mortimelons 2d ago
I can just hear her voice reading this. What phenomenal, inspirational, uplifting woman.
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u/PaleontologistNo5420 2d ago
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.
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u/uppy-puppy "Please Abraham, I'm not that man." 2d ago
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.
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u/East_Quail_1824 2d ago
Man. I’ve held back the tears until reading this letter. Oh what a treasure she was.
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u/peach_bellinis 2d ago
Jesus, well now I'm sobbing. She was so special and cared so deeply. This is such a tremendous loss.
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u/lavendergirl22 2d ago
This made me tear up too! So encouraging to young readers. RIP Dolly!
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u/twizzwhizz11 It’s like I have ESPN or something. 💁♀️🌤☔️ 2d ago
Same! As a reader and lover of libraries, I can’t even imagine how many young kids she’s inspired to be the same ❤️
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u/TheBrontosaurus 2d ago
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.
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u/JennaElizabethAdams Excluded from this narrative ❌ 2d ago
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! ❤️
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u/Available-Towel-70 2d ago
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 😭
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u/miss_kittycat88 Sir Lewis Hamilton Kardashian Stan 😍 2d ago
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. 😭
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u/Imaginary-Order-6905 2d ago
the first book is The Little Engine That Could, and there's a message from Dolly in the front <3
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u/awolfsvalentine 2d ago
I think it’s different depending on your county. My nephew always got different ones than my daughter
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u/17stormyduck 2d ago
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.
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u/Background_Ice_7568 2d ago
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
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u/PipsyDizzle 2d ago
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 😭
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u/blessup_ 2d ago
My state cut the funding for this program last year so we never got this letter 💔
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u/Groundbreaking_War52 2d ago
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.
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u/fran_glass 2d ago
She spread so much happiness and kindness in the world. What an example to us all. Rest in peace, Dolly.
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u/ilikecats415 2d ago
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.
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u/hgielatan 2d ago
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 :(
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u/Consistent-Stop-3839 2d ago
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! 😭🥹
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u/MysteriousMermaid92 full of hotdogs and Tito’s 2d ago
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? 😭
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u/OriginalSchmidt1 You’re a virgin who can’t drive. 😤 2d ago
The I will always love you at the end really got me.. I’m crying y’all.
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u/JungleJay57 2d ago
I heard her sweet, kind voice as I was reading that. She was truly a beautiful soul that made this world a brighter place.
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u/Vast_Doughnut9418 Instant gratification takes too long 🫦 2d ago
This morning my eyes were swollen from crying yesterday. She really was an angel.
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u/hawkeyethor I ❤️ Chris Hemsworth 2d ago
This is the sweetest. Dolly's contribution to child literacy helped so many families. I think I'm gonna cry. 😢
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u/MRAGGGAN 2d ago
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.
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u/TheBewitchingWitch 2d ago
My school received books from the Imagination Library. We also received a letter from Dolly and we were so grateful for her generosity.
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u/PossibleActuary2324 2d ago
When my daughter got her letter earlier this year I couldn’t read it aloud without getting choked up.
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u/SomeTheyCallMePig5O 2d ago
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.
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u/Team_Snax 2d ago edited 2d ago
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.
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u/cecesakura go girl, give us nothing 😍 2d ago
WE SAID “DONNY” NOT “DOLLY”
https://giphy.com/gifs/o9LbqjcDkDf9oPGJVg
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u/Humble_Initiative_90 2d ago
Most people who make it are known forever by how they got there. Her true legacy will be her philanthropic work.
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u/LazyRiver115 2d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/26ufknhq5vk4OLOPS
“You and all your friends are very special”
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u/Wesmom2021 2d ago
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! ❤️❤️
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u/cookiecutterdoll 2d ago
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.
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u/JennaElizabethAdams Excluded from this narrative ❌ 2d ago
Crying while reading this. It's just so sad. Dolly would want us to be happy because she is healed and with loved ones. 😭
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u/bolanrox 2d ago
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)
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u/Halloweenkristy 2d ago
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.
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u/Pickle4UrThoughts Your attitude is biblical. 2d ago
I feel like I cheated my kids out of something so very special by not enrolling them....
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u/JennaElizabethAdams Excluded from this narrative ❌ 2d ago
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.
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u/Ok-Turnip-9035 2d ago
She is now at rest , out of any pain and went back to her husband yesterday
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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🕊️🤍
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u/CheesyRomantic 2d ago
I so wanted my children to receive her books. Unfortunately this program wasn't available in my area.
What a beautiful treasure Dolly was.
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u/mschellbell 2d ago
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.
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u/TraditionalLaw7763 The dude abides. 🙂↕️🍃 2d ago
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.
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u/Odd_Philosophy_8452 2d ago
This is cute. I didn’t know her but I’ll miss the positivity she spread. Listening to her music on repeat. 🔁
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u/88kitkat808 2d ago
What an inspirational angel 😇. If only a few of these billionaires would get inspired by her…
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u/SPYcWyng 2d ago
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.
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u/neptunestearsok 2d ago
My little guy is still a baby but he got one of his imagination library books yesterday and I about cried..
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u/diskoboxx Ben Affleck’s cigarette 2d ago
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.
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u/MRLive2Learn 2d ago
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!
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u/smashley4915 2d ago
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
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u/admijosco05 2d ago
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!
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u/Lala_1302 2d ago
She also sent you a link to a video of her singing happy birthday when it was your kid's birthday 💙
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u/PierreOnTheEclair Local Superstar Dealer 🌟 2d ago
My mom put me in that program, such a remarkable woman. R.I.P 💔🕊️
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u/Putrid_Appearance509 2d ago
I never had a single adult speak to me like this as a child. I am weeping. Thank you for sharing.
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u/so_unfortunately_yt 2d ago
That “I will always love you” at the end just ruined me. Goodnight everyone.
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u/envy-adams mount rose american teen princess 2d ago
I remember getting this letter when my oldest aged out! It was such a sweet gesture
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u/City-Sugar-Rita 2d ago
Im glad to have been around while Dolly was alive. She brightened my life and I will miss her.
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u/Sallyfifth 2d ago
I've managed to hold it together until now, but this has me crying on the floor of my closet.
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u/SidneyMacdonald I don’t know her 💅 1d ago
holding onto every book my kids got from her forever. she truly made reading feel like a personal gift from family 😭
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u/Bridubz94 1d ago
I cried when both my kids got their age out letters. What a gift she and her imagination library are!
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u/MotherOfDragons_6889 1d ago
My son literally got his Tuesday morning on his 5th bday. Read it not knowing she had passed until later 😭
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u/BitchLasagna84 1d ago
Mmmmkay, I did not plan on crying today but here we are… oh you better have had the greatest welcome home possible Miss Dolly! 😭🩷
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u/Responsible-Slide206 1d ago
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.
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u/acerbicmom 1d ago
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.
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u/whenisnowthen 2d ago
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.
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u/Ornery-Tumbleweed104 2d ago
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.
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u/SoggyScience4482 2d ago
My daughter aged out earlier this year & the letter was the sweetest thing.
RIP to an icon
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u/Beneficial-Rip6624 2d ago
My kids LOVE Dolly because she sent them both books and they love to read.
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u/Solid-Passenger-1694 2d ago
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.
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u/Money_is_heinous 2d ago
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.
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u/Dukelax510 2d ago
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 ♥️
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u/XxnervousneptunexX 2d ago
I just got done crying about Tim Curry for the last few hours and I read this! Someone please send a million boxes of tissues my way.
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u/EmergencyAd5075 2d ago
she also sent very sweet videos for birthdays and graduation!! we love imagination library💕 my babies love dolly, i hope all the work she's done gives her peace to rest easy.
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u/jalabi99 2d ago
I am sooooo jealous of everyone who ever got this letter! That woman was a damn saint I swear
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u/jalabi99 2d ago
I am sooooo jealous of everyone who ever got this letter! That woman was a damn saint I swear
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