Five Things I Admire About Dolly Parton: Lessons from a Life of Faith, Joy, and Generosity

Five Things I Admire About Dolly Parton: 

Lessons from a Life of Faith, Joy, and Generosity

(Photo by John Mathew Smith / celebrity-photos.com, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped if applicable. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.)

When I think about Dolly Parton, many images immediately come to mind: the unmistakable voice, the blonde hair, the rhinestones, the colorful clothes, Dollywood, and a catalog of songs that has crossed generations. Yet when I think about why I have admired Dolly through the years, her entertainment career is only part of the answer. What stands out to me even more is the way she appeared to approach life and other people. I never knew Dolly personally, and I would never pretend that a public figure can be completely understood through interviews or television appearances. Still, after listening to her speak through the years and observing the causes she supported, certain characteristics repeatedly rise to the surface.

As a Christian, I do not believe celebrities should become our ultimate examples for how to live. Jesus Christ holds that place. Yet I also believe we can recognize admirable qualities in other people and learn from the way they use their lives, resources, experiences, and influence. When I reflect on Dolly Parton, five qualities especially stand out to me: her generosity, her authenticity, her Christian faith, her positive attitude, and her resilience.

1. I Admire Dolly’s Generosity

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
—Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)

“It makes me feel proud of who I am, where I’m from…and the fact that I am in a position to help people, and especially the kids.”
—Dolly Parton, Good Morning America, 2018

Watch the interview: Dolly Parton says she founded her Imagination Library charity to honor her dad

Dolly Parton’s generosity has been well documented, but what I find especially meaningful is that so much of her giving was connected to people and experiences that mattered personally to her. One of the best examples is the Imagination Library. In a 2018 Good Morning America interview, Dolly explained that her father had never learned to read or write because he had little opportunity for formal education. She emphasized that he was very intelligent, but his inability to read had always troubled him. Rather than simply grieving what her father had missed, Dolly transformed that experience into something that could benefit other children and families. She created the Imagination Library in his honor, and he lived long enough to participate in its early development and hear children affectionately call his daughter “the Book Lady.”

That story says something important about generosity. Sometimes our most meaningful acts of service grow out of places where we have witnessed hardship ourselves. Dolly saw what limited her father’s opportunities and asked how she could make life different for another child. The result became an enormous literacy program that has placed hundreds of millions of books into the homes of children around the world. Her concern for children extended into healthcare as well. During her interview with Dr. Oz in 2017, Dolly visited children undergoing cancer treatment at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, where her niece Hannah had once received treatment for leukemia. Dolly announced a one-million-dollar donation to the hospital while emphasizing how important it was to encourage children. More recently, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital has even taken on the Dolly Parton name, a fitting connection for someone who invested so much into the well-being of children.

Her generosity extended far beyond those examples. Through the Dollywood Foundation, Dolly invested directly in young people and education in her home county of Sevier County. The early Buddy Program offered financial incentives to participating students who successfully completed high school, while later scholarships helped students pursue college and other dreams. Her support also helped expand healthcare in the region. In 2007, a benefit concert and pledges from Dolly-related businesses provided approximately $1 million toward what became LeConte Medical Center.

When devastating wildfires swept through Gatlinburg and surrounding communities in 2016, Dolly created the My People Fund, which provided families whose homes had been destroyed with $1,000 each month for six months. A related benefit telethon ultimately raised more than $13 million for those affected by the disaster. When Hurricane Helene brought destructive flooding to East Tennessee and surrounding areas in 2024, Dolly again responded by personally pledging $1 million toward relief efforts while her businesses contributed another $1 million. Across decades, a consistent pattern emerged: when Dolly saw people hurting, particularly in the Appalachian communities that shaped her, she looked for practical ways to help.

Hebrews 13:16 provides a fitting Biblical lens for understanding this pattern of generosity: “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Whether Dolly was helping a student stay in school, putting books into the hands of children, supporting a hospital, or helping a family rebuild after losing a home, her generosity repeatedly moved beyond sympathy into action. The verse also reminds us that sharing is not merely about possessing great wealth. It is a spiritual posture of recognizing another person’s need and being willing to respond. Dolly happened to have considerable financial resources and a large public platform, and she often chose to use both to benefit others.

Most of us will never have millions of dollars to donate, but generosity should never be measured only by the size of a financial gift. God has given each of us something that can bless someone else. We can share our money, but we can also share our time, talents, encouragement, knowledge, hospitality, or simple presence. Dolly’s example reminds me to ask a practical question: What has God already placed in my hands that could make somebody else’s life a little better? Generosity begins when we stop focusing only on what we possess and start recognizing what we can give.

2. I Admire That Dolly Was Comfortable Being Herself

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
—Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

“I’m very real where it counts. And that’s inside.”
—Dolly Parton, interview with Barbara Walters, 1978

Watch the interview: Barbara Walters’ memorable interview with Dolly Parton (1978)

One of my favorite Dolly Parton interviews is her memorable 1978 conversation with Barbara Walters. Walters directly questioned Dolly about the blonde wigs, exaggerated clothing, and even whether Dolly worried that people considered her a joke. Dolly never appeared intimidated. She explained that her appearance was intentional, that she knew exactly what she was doing, and that the exterior presentation was not the most important thing about who she was. Her statement, “I’m very real where it counts. And that’s inside,” captures the heart of the conversation.

Dolly also explained that she was secure in herself as a person, confident in her talent, appreciative of life, and content with who she was. Because of that inner security, she could play around with hairstyles, makeup, clothing, and an exaggerated public persona without allowing those things to determine her worth. There is something tremendously freeing about that attitude. Dolly could laugh at herself without hating herself, and she could hear criticism without allowing every critical voice to become part of her identity.

That lesson may be even more relevant today. Social media gives us immediate measurements through likes, comments, views, followers, and shares, making it easy to wonder whether we are attractive enough, successful enough, accomplished enough, or interesting enough. Yet Galatians 1:10 reminds Christians that the approval of other people cannot become our ultimate standard. Our deepest identity comes from belonging to Christ. That does not mean becoming arrogant or refusing constructive criticism. It means that the opinions of strangers should not control our sense of worth. I admire that Dolly seemed to understand this long before social media existed. She did not need everyone to understand her before she could enjoy being herself.

3. I Admire Dolly’s Christian Faith

“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
—Psalm 62:8 (NIV)

“I pray a lot. I try to keep my faith strong…I just kind of feel like Jesus is right here close to me, and He’s my friend.”
—Dolly Parton, Knoxville News Sentinel interview

Watch the interview: Dolly Parton talks about her Christian faith

Dolly spoke openly about her Christian faith throughout her public life, and that is something I have always appreciated about her. She built an extraordinary career in the secular entertainment industry, yet she did not seem embarrassed to acknowledge God, prayer, Jesus, or the religious upbringing she received in the mountains of East Tennessee. In an interview with the Knoxville News Sentinel, Dolly explained that she prayed frequently, tried to keep her faith strong, and depended upon a source greater than herself. She described prayer almost like recharging a spiritual battery while explaining that she experienced Jesus as someone close to her, a friend with whom she could simply talk.

What I appreciate about that interview is its simplicity. Dolly was not delivering a complicated theological lecture. She was describing a lived faith. Prayer was something she practiced. Jesus was someone she talked to. God was someone she depended upon. She also acknowledged that faith did not make her immune from pain. She hurt like everyone else and was not always happy.

That distinction is important in Christian life. Faith does not require us to pretend everything is wonderful. We can trust God while grieving, pray while feeling discouraged, and believe in the goodness of Christ while admitting that circumstances hurt. Psalm 62:8 actually encourages us to pour out our hearts before God rather than hiding what is inside them. Dolly’s comments remind me that authentic faith is not a performance of constant happiness. It is continually turning toward God through good seasons and difficult ones.

4. I Admire Dolly’s Positive Attitude

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
—Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

“You kind of have to work at being positive like some people work at being miserable.”
—Dolly Parton, Watch What Happens Live, 2021

Watch the interview: How Does Dolly Parton Stay So Positive? | WWHL

Dolly Parton has always seemed to possess an unusual ability to find something enjoyable about life. She laughs easily, makes jokes about herself, and often communicates with an optimism that seems almost contagious. Yet a 2021 interview with Andy Cohen revealed that her positivity was not accidental. When asked how she remained positive in a world filled with adversity, Dolly explained that people have to work at being positive in much the same way that some people work at being miserable. For her, positivity was an attitude, including a willingness to look at something difficult and ask how it might be turned toward something better.

That is different from pretending hardship does not exist. Dolly understood depression, disappointment, physical pain, family struggles, and difficult seasons. Her positive attitude did not deny those realities. Instead, she made a conscious decision not to allow difficulty to become the only thing she could see.

Philippians 4:8 calls Christians toward a similar discipline of the mind. Paul does not claim that everything around us will be lovely or admirable. Instead, he instructs believers to deliberately turn their attention toward what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. We can intentionally notice what God has given us: relationships, family, laughter, meaningful work, music, beauty in creation, opportunities to serve, and another day of life. Christian hope goes deeper than ordinary positive thinking because our hope ultimately rests in Christ, but Dolly’s perspective reminds me that our attitude still matters. Life is difficult enough without volunteering to become miserable about every inconvenience along the way.

5. I Admire Dolly’s Resilience

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
—Romans 5:3–4 (NIV)

“I just have a lot of faith. I pray every day, and I had to really lean on my faith for that.”
—Dolly Parton, The Dr. Oz Show, 2017

Watch the interview: Dolly Parton Opens Up About Depression, Health, and Her Mission to Help Children | Oz Celebrity

Perhaps the quality that ties all the others together most clearly is resilience. Dolly’s joyful public personality could easily create the impression that life had simply gone well for her, but her interview with Dr. Oz revealed something deeper. When asked about emotional challenges, Dolly acknowledged that she had experienced a severe period of depression during a season involving hormonal and other physical health problems. She described herself as a sensitive person and admitted that this had been an especially difficult time. What helped her continue was not some magical ability to remain cheerful. She said that she had to lean heavily on her faith, pray every day, and keep trying to get back up.

That is the kind of resilience I admire because resilience does not mean never falling apart. It means the difficult chapter does not get to become the final chapter. Romans 5 describes suffering producing perseverance, perseverance shaping character, and character eventually giving way to hope. That process is rarely instantaneous. Sometimes we simply keep putting one foot in front of the other, trusting that God has not abandoned us even when we cannot yet understand what He is doing.

Dolly’s story concerning children adds another dimension to this idea for me. She and her husband, Carl Dean, never had children of their own. Dolly spoke publicly about how her life had unfolded differently than she might once have imagined, eventually expressing the belief that perhaps God had given her a broader purpose in the lives of children. Looking at the millions of young lives touched through the Imagination Library and her other charitable work, it is easy to see why that perspective became meaningful to her. In the Dr. Oz interview, she talked about her love for children, visited young cancer patients, discussed the survival of her niece Hannah from leukemia, promoted an album intended to encourage children, and announced a substantial gift to the hospital that had cared for her niece.

This part of Dolly’s story touches me on a personal level. Lisa and I have experienced painful pregnancy losses of our own. At the same time, God has blessed us tremendously with Annabelle and Jace, and I am deeply grateful for the family we have. Those realities can exist together. Gratitude does not erase grief, and grief does not mean we are ungrateful for what God has given us. Sometimes life does not unfold according to the picture we once carried in our minds, and faith means continuing to trust that God can still bring purpose, meaning, and love out of circumstances we never would have chosen.

That is what resilience looks like to me. We do not have to pretend the painful chapters never happened. Instead, we allow God to use those experiences to deepen our compassion, strengthen our faith, and perhaps even help somebody else who walks through a similar valley. Dolly’s life repeatedly demonstrated that difficult experiences could become opportunities for service. Her father’s inability to read helped inspire a literacy program. Her niece’s battle with leukemia strengthened her concern for sick children. Her own struggle with depression became something she could speak about honestly so that others knew they were not alone. Resilience did not mean denying hardship. It meant continuing to live generously and purposefully after hardship came.

When I put these five qualities together, I think I understand more clearly why Dolly Parton has appealed to so many people across generations. Her music certainly mattered, but the person people encountered alongside the music mattered too. She modeled generosity that looked beyond herself, authenticity that did not require everybody’s approval, faith she was willing to discuss publicly, an attitude that deliberately looked for goodness, and resilience that helped her continue moving forward through difficult seasons.

I will never sing like Dolly Parton, and I certainly do not anticipate owning a collection of rhinestone outfits or 365 wigs. But those are not the parts of her example I most want to imitate. I want to become more generous with what God has given me, more comfortable being the person God created me to be, more willing to live my Christian faith visibly and authentically, and more intentional about noticing reasons for gratitude. When difficult seasons inevitably come, I also want to keep getting back up, trusting that God can create something meaningful even from circumstances I never would have chosen.

Perhaps that is one of the most meaningful ways we can appreciate someone we admire. We can enjoy the songs, remember the performances, smile at the jokes, and celebrate an extraordinary career, but we can also ask what qualities from that person’s life challenge us to live our own lives better. When I think about Dolly Parton, five simple lessons remain with me: give generously, be yourself, hold onto your faith, choose joy, and keep going. Those are lessons worth carrying with us.

 

#DollyParton #Faith #ChristianFaith #ChooseJoy #Resilience #Generosity #Authenticity #PositiveAttitude #KindnessMatters #FaithInAction #ChristianEncouragement #LessonsFromLife #EastTennessee #ImaginationLibrary #KeepGoing

 

When Monday Begins with Stillness: A Sunrise Reflection from Hunting Island

When Monday Begins with Stillness:

A Sunrise Reflection from Hunting Island 

At Fripp Island in May 2020, I honestly dreaded going home.

I had been enjoying one of my happiest places on the planet, where the rush of normal life seemed to loosen its grip for a little while. The ocean has a way of doing that for me. I walked along the beach as if Jesus Himself were walking beside me in the crash of the waves. The salt air, the open shoreline, and the steady rhythm of the water helped my soul breathe again.

But vacation was ending, and the routine was waiting.

Like many people during that season, Lisa and I were exhausted from the uncertainty, restrictions, and emotional weight of the COVID-19 pandemic. People processed that season in different ways, and I know some families carried deep grief, fear, and loss. For us, by May 2020, we were weary from the constant tension and ready for some space to breathe. Restaurants and stores were beginning to open again, and we decided to take a needed vacation with my family on Fripp Island, South Carolina.

At the same time, everything in my world was about to change.

Lisa was about seven months pregnant with Annabelle, who was expected to arrive in late August. I was preparing to begin a Ph.D. program in Communication at the University of Tennessee. That opportunity meant we would soon move to Knoxville, Tennessee, where I had received a full scholarship and assistantship to pay for my graduate studies, including four years of tuition and a small monthly stipend.

It was a generous offer I did not want to waste.

But it also meant three major life changes were coming at once. We were moving to a new city. I was starting a new academic job and a four-year commitment to doctoral studies. And I was becoming a father for the first time.

Those were exciting blessings, but they were also heavy responsibilities. While going to the beach provided some relief from the upcoming stress, I still regretted going home. I knew I would eventually have to face all these changes head on. I was not feeling especially motivated to make all of it happen. I wanted life to slow down long enough for the pace of my thoughts to slow down too.

So, before beginning the long drive home, I decided to wake up early and visit Hunting Island State Park, the next island down from Fripp Island. Lisa rode home with my parents that day, which gave me some needed time alone. I set my alarm for 5:15 a.m. so I could arrive in time to watch the sunrise around 6:40 a.m.

Hunting Island is known for the lighthouse that stands beautifully in the middle of the island. As far as I know, it is the only publicly climbable lighthouse in South Carolina. One of my favorite memories there is climbing those 167 steps with my Grandmother Cartee. Even in her older years, she did not give up. Step by step, she kept going until she reached the top. That memory still reminds me of her strength, determination, and quiet joy.

But on this particular morning, I was not there to climb. I was there to be still.

In Mark 6:31, Jesus tells His disciples, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” That specific part of this Bible verse felt personal on the beach that morning because I was not only stepping away from a vacation. I was stepping away, even briefly, from the weight of everything waiting for me at home: fatherhood, a move to Knoxville, doctoral studies, financial responsibility, and a future I could not yet fully picture. Jesus understood that even faithful people need moments of quiet retreat. He knew the soul sometimes needs a place apart where the noise settles, the body breathes, and the heart remembers that God is already present before the next responsibility begins.

Stillness is not always easy for me. My mind can race ahead to the next responsibility, the next task, the next deadline, or the next concern. But as the sun began to rise over Hunting Island, everything seemed to slow down.

The sky gradually shifted from darkness to color. The breeze moved gently across the water. The waves crashed with a steady rhythm that felt older and stronger than my worries. For those few minutes, I was reminded that the world does not depend on my constant motion. God was already present before my day began. His creation was already singing before I said a word.

I am not naturally a morning person, but I was grateful I made time to breathe that day.

After the sunrise, I sat on the beach for about ninety minutes, praying, journaling, and letting my spirit settle. I did not solve every problem. I did not suddenly feel excited about returning to routine. But something inside me became quieter. The dread did not disappear all at once, but it loosened. Gratitude began to make room where anxiety had been sitting.

That is one of the gifts of breathtaking scenery. It reminds us that life is larger than our calendars. A sunrise does not erase responsibility, but it can help us carry responsibility with a renewed heart. Stillness does not remove every burden, but it reminds us that we do not carry those burdens alone.

After leaving Hunting Island, I stopped in Bluffton, South Carolina. Bluffton has its own centeredness and quiet charm, especially compared to larger coastal cities like Charleston and Savannah. I walked through local parks and along the water. I visited art galleries and appreciated the talents of local artists. I ate lunch at a quaint restaurant with affordable seafood and let the day unfold slowly.

Eventually, I headed home.

By the time I arrived, I was tired from the long drive, but I was also peaceful. I was greeted by my beautiful wife, grateful for my family, and ready to rest. Annabelle had not yet arrived, but her arrival was close. Our family was about to change forever. Knoxville was waiting. A Ph.D. program was waiting. Fatherhood was waiting. Responsibility was waiting. But so was grace.

The next morning was Monday.

Normally, Monday can feel like a return to the grind. It can feel like the end of freedom and the beginning of obligation. But that Monday felt different. I had watched the sun rise. I had prayed beside the waves. I had walked through quiet places. I had remembered that God meets us not only in church pews and sacred songs, but also on beaches, in breezes, on boardwalks, and along coastal roads when the soul needs room to breathe.

Maybe Mondays are not always as bad as we think.

Maybe they can become invitations…

An invitation to begin again…an invitation to carry gratitude into the routine…an invitation to remember that peace is not limited to vacation. God can meet us in the breathtaking scenery of a sunrise, but He can also walk with us into the emails, meetings, school responsibilities, dishes, deadlines, decisions, and ordinary tasks waiting at home.

That morning on Hunting Island reminded me that stillness prepares the soul for the next step. Sometimes, before we return to the routine, we need to pause long enough to notice the grace already around us.

And sometimes, Monday begins better when Sunday ends with gratitude.

 

#WhenMondayBeginsWithStillness #Mark631 #HuntingIsland #FrippIsland #ChristianReflection #SoulRest #FaithAndStillness #GodInTheOrdinary #GratitudeAndGrace #PeaceInTheRoutine 

Niagara Falls: A Journey of Wonder, Mist, and Moments with God

Niagara Falls: A Journey of Wonder, Mist, and Moments with God 

(In this video, you can see the top of Bridal Falls and the American Falls from the Niagara Falls State Park on the New York state side. You get a sense of how powerful the water movement becomes falling into the gorge.)

I must admit that Niagara Falls exceeded my expectations.

Before arriving, I was not entirely sure what to expect. I knew Niagara Falls was one of those places people talk about with awe, but sometimes famous destinations become so familiar in pictures and videos that you wonder whether the real thing will still surprise you. I had seen images of the waterfalls before. I had heard people talk about the Canadian side having the better view. I knew there would be tourist attractions, restaurants, souvenir shops, and crowds. But I did not know how it would feel to stand there in person, hearing the roar of the water, watching the mist rise into the sky, and realizing that no photo or video could fully capture the power of what God created.

I stayed on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls at the Howard Johnson Plaza by the Falls. After arriving late on Monday afternoon, I unpacked, showered, and settled into my room. I knew the Falls were within walking distance, and even though I was tired from a long day of travel, curiosity won. I could not be that close to Niagara Falls and wait until the next morning to see them.

So, I walked.

From the hotel, I headed down Victoria Avenue and then turned toward Clifton Hill, the colorful tourist district filled with restaurants, attractions, museums, souvenir shops, bright signs, arcades, and family-friendly energy. In some ways, it reminded me of Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg back home in Tennessee. Eventually, the noise of Clifton Hill gave way to the green space along the parkway. I approached the walking path near the gorge, and suddenly, there they were.

The Falls.

I could see American Falls stretching across the left side of the gorge, Bridal Veil Falls nearby, and Horseshoe Falls thundering in the distance. The evening sky was soft with pale pink and blue hues, and the mist rose from the base of the waterfalls like clouds being born from the river itself. It was one of those moments where I instantly understood why people travel from all over the world to stand in that very spot. I had only been there a few minutes, and already the trip felt worth it.

The Canadian side offers a sweeping, face-to-face view of the Falls. From that side, you can look across the gorge and take in the full scene at once. On the New York side, which I would visit later, you often stand closer to the top of the waterfalls, looking down or across from the brink. Both perspectives are beautiful, but they are different. The Canadian side gives you the grand postcard view, the kind of panoramic scene that makes you stop mid-step and stare.

I did not stay too long that first evening. I was tired, and I knew the next day would be full. But even that brief first walk made a lasting impression. The mist, the evening light, the wide river, and the enormous sound of the water all worked together as a kind of welcome. I went back to my hotel grateful, excited, and wondering what the next day would hold.

The next morning, I walked back toward Clifton Hill and stopped at Oakes Garden Theatre. This park felt like a quiet pocket of beauty tucked beside the busy tourist district. It had stone walkways, garden paths, manicured hedges, colorful trees, and peaceful water features that gave it the feel of a small botanical garden. The amphitheater opened toward the Falls, giving visitors a beautiful framed view of the landscape. Before the crowds, boats, towers, and tours, there was simply the beauty of walking among trees, flowers, stone, water, and sunlight.

Around 1:00 p.m., my tour guide, Yeevu, picked me up from the hotel. He was from China, and Mandarin Chinese was his first language. The tour group ended up being much smaller than expected. Only an older couple from Florida and I had booked the tour that day, so the experience felt almost like a private tour.

Our first major stop was Skylon Tower. The tower reminded me of the Space Needle in Seattle because of its futuristic observation tower style. From the observation deck, the view was breathtaking. Looking down from Skylon, Horseshoe Falls looked both enormous and strangely delicate at the same time. The water curved in a wide turquoise arc before dropping into a cloud of white mist. Boats moved through the river below, appearing tiny compared to the scale of the Falls around them.

From that height, I could see how the entire landscape fit together: Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, the gorge, the river, the parkways, and the cities on both sides of the border. On the ground, the Falls overwhelm your senses. From above, you can see the larger design.

After Skylon Tower, we headed to Niagara City Cruises, the boat ride that takes visitors directly into the mist near the base of the Falls. I had seen photos of people wearing ponchos on these boats, but I still was not fully prepared for the experience. Once on board, I made my way to the second level and stood near the railing so I could get as close to the water as possible.

The closer we moved toward the Falls, the louder the roar became. The water did not simply fall; it crashed, exploded, and shook the air. The mist came at us from every direction, soaking glasses, faces, clothes, and cameras. The poncho helped, but only a little. This was not a gentle mist. It felt more like standing in the outer edge of a thunderstorm.

American Falls was powerful, with water pounding over the rocks and sending spray across the boat. But Horseshoe Falls was even more intense. As the boat entered the curved basin, waterfalls surrounded us. The white mist rose so thickly that it became difficult to see clearly. My glasses were covered in water, and I could barely keep my head up at times. The sound was overwhelming. The water seemed to swallow the air around us.

And yet, it was thrilling.

After we got off the boat, I called my father and told him, “That was awesome! I have never experienced a thrill ride quite like this one!” But what made it so amazing was that it was not manufactured. It was not a roller coaster or a theme park ride. It was creation itself. It was water, gravity, rock, force, mist, and sound. It was wild and beautiful, and I felt small in the best possible way.

One of the lighter moments of the trip came after we stopped at the Floral Clock, when Yeevu told us he was taking us to a “chocolate and maple shrimp” tasting. I was confused. Maple shrimp? In Niagara Falls? When we arrived, I realized he meant maple syrup. We all laughed, and we helped him with the translation so that he would not keep telling future tour groups they were about to eat “maple shrimp.” It was one of those small travel moments that becomes funny precisely because it was unexpected.

After the maple syrup tasting, we went to Journey Behind the Falls. This experience took us down by elevator through the bedrock and into tunnels behind Horseshoe Falls. The moment we descended, the sound changed. You could hear the Falls before you could fully see them. The walls seemed to carry the vibration of the water. The tunnels opened to viewing portals, where the Falls poured down just beyond the rock. From there, we walked out to observation decks near the base of Horseshoe Falls.

This was another unforgettable perspective. At the observation decks, the water crashed with such force that the air felt alive. Mist covered everything. The sound was so loud that it seemed to fill my chest. Rainbows appeared in the spray, bright arcs of color forming where sunlight met water. The water was beautiful, but it was not tame.

That contrast stayed with me. Niagara Falls is stunning, but it is also dangerous. It is peaceful to look at from a distance, but up close it roars with a force no person could control. There is something deeply humbling about that. It reminds me that God’s creation is not merely decorative. It is powerful. It is alive with movement, energy, and mystery.

As we traveled around the Falls, Yeevu also told us about the long and dangerous history of daredevils who attempted to go over Niagara Falls in barrels, capsules, and other homemade devices. I believe he mentioned that around 17 people had attempted some version of this risky plunge, though not all used traditional barrels and not all survived. Hearing those stories while standing near the Falls made the danger feel even more real. Some people survived their attempts and became part of Niagara’s unusual history, while others were badly injured or lost their lives trying to conquer something far more powerful than themselves.

After Journey Behind the Falls, the couple from Florida was dropped off at their hotel. For the rest of the evening, it was just Yeevu and me. Because the group was so small, the night portion of the tour felt even more personal.

Dinner was included at Table Rock House Restaurant, an upscale restaurant located beside Horseshoe Falls. The restaurant may have offered the most memorable dining view I have ever experienced. My table faced the Falls, and it felt like having a front-row seat at a concert, except the performer was one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. Through the large windows, I could see the river rolling toward the brink and the mist rising from the gorge below. Diners were eating and talking while one of the world’s great natural wonders thundered just beyond the glass. It was surreal.

The meal itself was excellent. I started with crispy maple and miso Brussels sprouts, served with heirloom cherry tomatoes, golden raisins, and pomegranate seeds. The dish had a balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors. The Brussels sprouts were crisp, and the maple and miso gave them a rich depth that felt fitting for a Canadian meal.

For the main course, I had Ontario Chicken Supreme with crispy prosciutto, peach chutney, asparagus, warm fingerling potato and corn salad, and garlic jus. The chicken was flavorful and tender, while the peach chutney added a bright sweetness that paired well with the savory elements of the dish. For dessert, I chose strawberry and rhubarb pie, a creamed mousse with a hint of mint. It felt like a meal designed to highlight local ingredients while still feeling refined and special. By that point in the evening, I did not think the day could get much better. But the final stop proved me wrong.

Yeevu took me to the Illumination Tower, one of the most unexpected highlights of the trip. The Illumination Tower controls the colored lights that shine on Niagara Falls at night. I had seen the Falls lit up from a distance, but I did not realize visitors on certain tours could actually go inside the tower and help change the lighting colors.

Inside, there was a control interface with color options: red, green, blue, yellow, and white. Standing there, looking down at the Falls, I could hardly believe we were helping control the lights shining across the water. The Falls turned green, then blue, then red and gold, with the mist glowing like colored smoke against the night sky. The same water that had appeared turquoise and white during the day now became a moving canvas of light.

To end the evening, fireworks burst over the Falls around 10:00 p.m. It was a fitting conclusion to a full and majestic day. When Yeevu dropped me back at the hotel, I felt grateful. The day had included garden walks, tower views, boat mist, maple syrup, tunnels behind the Falls, dinner beside Horseshoe Falls, colored lights, and fireworks. It had surpassed every expectation I brought with me!

For my second full day in Niagara Falls, I crossed to the New York side to explore Niagara Falls State Park. Some visitors argue that the Canadian side has the best view, and I understand why they say that. The Canadian side gives you the most complete panoramic view of the Falls. But after visiting both sides, I would not say one side is simply better than the other. They are different experiences. The Canadian side allows you to stand back and admire the full picture. The New York side allows you to get closer to the top, the rapids, and the raw edge of the water before it drops.

I parked on Goat Island and walked toward Terrapin Point. From there, I had an incredible view of Horseshoe Falls from the American side. The mist was thick, rising so high that parts of the skyline across the gorge seemed to disappear behind it. The water rushed toward the brink with incredible speed, then vanished over the edge in a thunder of white spray.

I also walked toward Bridal Veil Falls and crossed over to Luna Island. From there, I could see American Falls from the top and side. Standing near the rapids before the water went over the edge was one of the most powerful parts of the New York-side experience. The river moved with such force that I could not imagine anyone attempting to enter it (like the barrel experiences described before). The water looked restless, muscular, and determined, pushing forward until it spilled into the gorge.

There were moments when I simply watched the rapids and thought about the greatness of God. Water is such a common part of everyday life, yet here it was transformed into something majestic. The same element we drink, wash with, and often take for granted was roaring over cliffs with enough force to make everyone stop and stare.

In those moments, connecting with God felt natural. I did not need music, a sermon, or a crowded room. I only needed to stand still and listen. The river preached in its own way. The mist, the rapids, the rocks, and the vast sky all reminded me that creation has a language of worship. Sometimes the soul hears it best when distractions fall away.

Later that day, I wanted a more rugged and personal view of the Niagara River. The day before, I had asked Yeevu for advice about trails where I could walk near the river inside the gorge. I was especially fascinated by the Niagara Whirlpool, where the river bends and churns with dangerous force. Yeevu recommended hiking down into the gorge from Whirlpool State Park on the New York side.

Whirlpool State Park is only a short drive from Niagara Falls State Park, but it feels much quieter and more removed from the central tourist areas. The hike down into the gorge required approximately 350 steps. Going down was not too difficult, though I knew with every step that I would eventually have to climb back up. Once at the bottom, the trail opened to the river and the whirlpool rapids.

The scene felt different from the Falls themselves. It was still powerful, but it was less crowded and more intimate. The river was wide, fast, and full of swirling whitewater. The cliffs rose on both sides, covered in trees and layered rock. The water crashed against rocks with a sound that reminded me of the ocean at high tide. There was a rhythm to it—forceful, constant, and strangely peaceful.

I sat near the whirlpool for several minutes. I prayed. I listened. I watched the water move.

That moment became one of the most meaningful parts of the trip.

There was no dramatic event. No crowd. No fireworks. No restaurant, tower, or tour. Just the river, the rocks, the gorge, and time with God. I thought about how often life feels like rushing water—unpredictable, powerful, and beyond my control. Yet sitting there, I was reminded that God is not overwhelmed by the currents that overwhelm me. The river may roar, but God remains steady. The water may twist and churn, but He is still present.

The climb back out of the gorge was much harder than the climb down. Those 350 steps felt very different on the way up. I had to stop a few times, catch my breath, and keep going. But even that felt like part of the experience. Sometimes the most beautiful places require effort. Sometimes you have to descend into the quiet places and then climb your way back out.

After returning to my hotel later that day, I felt tired but not ready for the trip to end. I decided to walk back down through Clifton Hill one more time to the greenway along the Canadian side. I wanted one final evening with the Falls.

As I stood there again, watching the mist rise and the water pour endlessly over the edge, I thought back to that first evening when I arrived. The trip had come full circle. What began as curiosity had become awe. What began as sightseeing had become worship. I had experienced Niagara Falls from above, below, behind, beside, and across. I had seen it in daylight, evening hues, glowing nighttime colors, and quiet moments along the gorge.

Niagara Falls was more than a tourist destination for me. It was a reminder of scale. It reminded me that I am small, but deeply loved by the God who made all of this. It reminded me that beauty and power can exist together. It reminded me that sometimes, to reconnect with God, I need to step away from routine, stand before something bigger than myself, and simply pay attention.

The Falls thundered. The mist rose. The river kept moving. And for a few days, I had the gift of standing still. 

(Fireworks over Niagara Falls, Canada.)

(Niagara Whirlpool in the gorge.)

(Rainbow looking down on American Falls from Niagara Falls State Park on the New York stateside.)

(The Illumination Tower utilizes massive LED lights to depict the American flag on the American Falls.)

(The Illumination Tower shines lights on the falls from the Canadian side for all visitors to enjoy.)

(This is the booth for just me at Table Rock House Restaurant with majestic views of the Horseshoe Canadian Falls.)

(These are the views from my booth at the Table Rock House Restaurant.)

(This full rainbow could be seen from the observation deck at Journey Behind the Falls.)

(The black and white photo adds a different perspective to the rainbow at Journey Behind the Falls.)

(These are the tunnels in Journey Behind the Falls. I am not completely sure why they use bright blue lights in the tunnels.)

(Someone took my picture with the rainbow in the background at the observation deck at Journey Behind the Falls.)

(While this contraption looks like an underwater torpedo, this is one of the historic barrels to journey over and down the falls.) 

(The Niagara Whirlpool from the Whirlpool State Park gorge rim trail.)

(In front of the American Falls, I took a picture of another mist tour boat from the boat I was on.)

(The Florida couple took my picture at the top of Skylon Tower.)

(Portrait on the Canadian Greenway.)

(Another view of the American Falls.)

(A bridge and ponds in the pathways at Oakes Garden Theatre.)

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