My Love for Dolly!
By: Lexi Hendricks | 7th Grader
My love for Dolly Parton began when my mom signed me up for the Imagination Library at age 2. Every month I received a free book in the mail. I LOVED getting my special mail. Mom would tell me “Dolly sent you a new book”. We had to read the new book right then and there. Even though I stopped receiving the books when I turned 5, my brother Frank was still receiving them because he was only 3.
In Second grade, we were given a project assignment to research and present on a famous person. I chose Dolly because I remembered getting her books and she loved to sing and liked butterflies like me. We didn't just have to research and give a presentation on our famous person, we also had to come to school dressed like them. I chose a young Dolly like from her movie Coat of Many Colors. I LOVE that movie.
Over the years, I continued to listen to Dolly’s music. Loving it more everyday. I would see video shorts about her work with the Imagination Library and I was inspired to donate my old books to our local Free Little Library so someone else had a chance to love books.
One of the best things that happened over the summer, I asked my mom’s boss, Dr. Eisenhauer if I could borrow the cardboard cut out of Dolly and take her out for adventures. She said ‘YES”. I began planning our adventures. We went to Dairy Queen, Target, wore matching face t-shirts and she even went on a weekend getaway with my family. I lived my best life with Dolly and made some fun memories with my family. Was it silly? Yes! Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY.
After Dolly passed away, I watched her movie Coat of Many Colors again. Her story made me think of myself. One lesson in the movie is be proud of what makes you special. It means you should be proud of your story and who you are. In the movie, some kids made fun of Dolly's coat, but she learned that it was special because her mom made it with love. That helped her be proud of who she was.
I have special needs, and sometimes learning can be harder for me. I didn’t want my friends to know because I worried about what they would think. But Dolly taught me not to hide who I am just because other people might not understand. I try my best in everything I do. Like Dolly, I have GRIT. I keep trying, even when things are hard, and I never give up. That is something that makes me proud of who I am.
My favorite quote from Dolly…“You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try.”
P.S. Thanks, Mom (Kimberly Hendricks), for helping me write my story.