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

 

Living in Gratitude: The Power of Simple Lists

  

 (On a nice day, Annabelle and Jace enjoy driving their Power Wheels' vehicles.)

In the busyness of everyday life, it can be easy to dwell on what we lack—missed opportunities, disappointments, or the one or two things that went wrong in an otherwise good day. But when we shift our focus from scarcity to abundance, something remarkable happens: our outlook changes, and so does the way we experience life.

For me, this shift often begins with a simple but intentional practice—keeping a gratitude journal. Several times a week, I write down lists of things I am thankful for. Sometimes these lists capture big moments, but more often they are about the small, ordinary blessings that shape my days: the sound of my children’s laughter, a shared meal with my wife, or a quiet evening together as a family.

This practice is not complicated, but it is powerful. Gratitude helps retrain the mind. Instead of endlessly scanning for what is broken, gratitude reminds us of what is whole. Instead of focusing on what we do not have, gratitude grounds us in the good that is already present. Over time, this rhythm creates a positive mindset and an overall appreciation for life as a gift.

Although journaling is a personal practice I engage in privately, I see it as something I will one day teach my children, Annabelle (age 5) and Jace (age 3). They may not yet be old enough to understand the habit or write lists themselves, but I believe they can still learn from my example. When I model a thankful heart and share moments of gratitude openly, they begin to see how important it is to notice blessings instead of burdens. In this way, gratitude becomes a gift I hope to pass on to them as they grow.

The truth is simple: life is good if you view it as good. Gratitude sharpens our vision. It opens our hearts to joy. It teaches us to find contentment in the present moment rather than constantly chasing after the next thing. And the best part? Anyone can start today. All it takes is setting aside a few minutes, grabbing a notebook, and beginning your own gratitude list.

In what follows, I want to share some of the lists I have written during my personal reflections. These lists may be personal to me, but I hope they inspire you to reflect on your own life and write down the things you are thankful for. 

Gratitude for My Wife, Lisa

1. Lisa’s nurturing care for our children as their mother.
2. Lisa’s never-ending support as my spouse.
3. Lisa’s kindness to strangers.
4. Lisa’s love for animals, which brought Tip, our beloved guinea pig, into our family.
5. Lisa’s amazing cooking skills.
6. The way Lisa scratches my back for a really long time.
7. When I feel down, Lisa always cheers me up with the right words.
8. Lisa’s light-hearted demeanor and her appreciation for the simple things in life.
9. Lisa’s responsible and thoughtful financial choices.
10. Lisa’s relationship with the Lord.

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Gratitude for My Daughter, Annabelle

1. Annabelle’s love for Bible study and prayer.
2. Annabelle’s hugs.
3. Annabelle’s playful sense of humor—like her pretend farts on Daddy.
4. The way Annabelle consoles her upset brother with a hug and a gentle, “Shhh, shhh, it’s going to be okay.”
5. Watching Annabelle learn to swim.
6. Celebrating Annabelle’s fifth birthday—and five years of wonderful memories.
7. Annabelle’s affection for her mother, Lisa.
8. Annabelle’s affection for my mom, CeeCee (her grandmother). She often asks, “When will CeeCee come to see us again?”
9. Annabelle’s giggles as I chase her around the house or outside. She has a distinct, memorable laugh.
10. Annabelle’s eagerness to help Lisa or me with chores, cooking, or putting things together.
11. Annabelle’s creativity and love for crafts.

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Gratitude for My Son, Jace

1. When Jace says, “Pleeeaaasseee.” Even when he is upset, he sometimes says it in a terse, grunting way—angry yet still asking for help.
2. Jace’s hugs and cuddles while watching TV.
3. When Jace is upset, he asks for “Daddy” to console him. It feels good to be needed by this tiny human.
4. Jace wanting to go with me to the coffee shop just to be with me, even though it’s usually a place where I work alone (jobs to pay bills).
5. Jace’s affection for my father, JayJay (his grandfather). Just like Annabelle asks about CeeCee, Jace often asks, “Where is JayJay? When will I see him again?”
6. Jace’s surprising love for cold black coffee—I find it funny and ironic that any child would enjoy it. Sharing a few small sips together makes me smile.
7. Jace’s love for sports and being outdoors, which keeps us both active.
8. When Jace says, “I need a huggie,” before going to bed.
9. When Jace says, “Hold you,” meaning “Pick me up and hold me.”
10. Jace using sign language to communicate with me. He continues to learn basic signs at school, which he started practicing as a baby.
11. Celebrating Jace’s third birthday with his friend at Chuck E. Cheese.
12. Jace’s funny way of saying “Nooooopppe” instead of just “No.” Even though “nope” can be a frustrating favorite word of the day, it still sounds cute coming from him.

Gratitude lists remind me that life’s greatest blessings are often found in the everyday moments we share with those we love most. As I look back over these reflections, I am reminded once again of how much I have to be thankful for in my wife, Lisa, and in our children, Annabelle and Jace. To close, I am also sharing a few pictures from our most recent time together as a family—snapshots that capture the joy behind these words and the memories we continue to treasure. I hope these reflections encourage you to pause and consider your own list of gratitude. What small joys, simple blessings, or cherished relationships might you write down today?

(It’s really fun when I can watch the kids drive their vehicles outside. See the previous video at the beginning of this blog entry.)

(Annabelle and Jace were fascinated by this car display in the grocery store. They insisted on getting a picture. Jace looks cute, kissing his sister on the cheek.)

Annabelle and Jace ride the rhinoceroses’ statues at Zoo Knoxville. The zoo recently attained two new residents - Mylo and Ranger - two southern white rhinos.)

 

#GratitudeLists #CountYourBlessings #FamilyGratitude #EverydayJoy
#ChoosePositivity #LifeIsAGift #FaithAndGratitude #ThankfulLiving #MindfulMoments
#GratitudePractice #Family #DaddyDestinations #JamesCartee

 

Awakened to Grace: Finding Resurrection Joy in the Small and Ordinary

(Jace enjoys driving in Annabelle’s pink corvette with circular motions. He is closely supervised when doing so.)

“He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” – Matthew 28:6 (NIV)

Easter is a holy and hope-filled reminder of new beginnings. It is the celebration of Jesus Christ rising from the dead—a powerful event that changed the course of human history. But the resurrection is not just something we commemorate once a year. It is something we can live out daily when we open our eyes to the life-giving grace that surrounds us.

As I reflect on Easter this year, two simple yet profound lessons keep coming to mind: seeing the obvious blessings in front of us, and making time for the things that truly restore us.

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1. The Obvious Blessings Are Often Right in Front of Us

There are moments when I simply walk through my apartment and quietly say, Thank You, God. Thank You for the roof over my head. Thank You for the laughter of my children. Thank You for the photo above my computer (a collage of family pictures), the one that reminds me of the gift of my family and the joy they bring into my life.

These are the signposts of God’s goodness—small, ordinary, yet profoundly sacred.

In John 20, we read that Mary Magdalene stood outside the empty tomb weeping, unaware that the risen Jesus was standing right beside her. She mistook Him for the gardener—until He called her by name (John 20:14–16). How many times do we do the same? How often do we overlook what is right in front of us?

Easter calls us to see again—to look at our lives with resurrection eyes. To recognize that the blessings we seek are often already present. We only need to pause long enough to notice.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” – Psalm 34:8 (NIV)

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2. But Sometimes Gratitude Is Hard

As true and beautiful as these ideas are, I know from personal experience that it is not always easy to live with this mindset. Life gets overwhelming. Work can become repetitive or draining. Responsibilities pile up. There are bills to pay, deadlines to meet, and days when stress weighs heavier than peace.

Sometimes, we simply have bad days—days when we forget the blessings, feel disconnected from joy, and wonder how to keep going.

God understands this. Scripture never promises a life free from trouble. Instead, it promises His presence and peace within it.

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 (NIV)

Being thankful does not mean pretending everything is perfect. It means choosing to trust God even when life feels messy. Gratitude is not a denial of difficulty; it is a discipline of remembering that God is still good.

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3. Rest Is Not Laziness—It Is Worship and Restoration

Another lesson I hold close this Easter is the importance of intentional rest. We live in a culture that idolizes hustle and busyness. But Jesus Himself rested—first in solitude during His earthly ministry, and then in the tomb before His resurrection. That sacred pause speaks volumes.

Rest does not mean inactivity; it means intentional renewal. Sometimes, that means quiet stillness. But often, it means doing something that brings joy, laughter, and life.

We need to give ourselves permission to enjoy activities that refresh our souls. That might look different for everyone. Some people relax with a movie. Others enjoy long walks, reading on the treadmill, gardening, journaling, or even writing a blog entry like this one. These hobbies are not distractions from “real work”—they are reminders that life is meant to be enjoyed.

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His.” – Hebrews 4:9–10 (NIV)

Personally, I love hiking and traveling—experiences that help me step away from stress and re-center in God’s presence. These moments of pause are not lazy or selfish; they are acts of stewardship. We care for our souls when we step back from the noise and take time to simply be.

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Closing Reflection

Easter is not just about an empty tomb—it is about full hearts. It is about awakening to the blessings we already have and choosing to live a life of joy, peace, and gratitude—even on the hard days. It is about making time to rest, to breathe, and to pursue what nourishes our spirit.

This week, I encourage you to slow down. Walk through your home with gratitude. Take time to do something you love. Open your eyes. The resurrection is all around you.

“The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.” – Psalm 118:24 (NIV)

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Prayer
Risen Lord, help me to see the blessings in front of me, especially when life feels heavy. Teach me to rest, to restore, and to rejoice in the life You have given. Thank You for the promise of new beginnings. May I live with gratitude and joy, every single day. Amen. 

*Here are some of our most recent family Easter memories. Enjoy browsing through these new photo scenes.

(Annabelle and Jace often visit the Bass Pro Shop to see the fish and animals. Jace poses with Mommy.)

(Lisa and I recently attended a Carly Pierce concert in Knoxville, Tennessee at the Tennessee Theater. Carly is a talented performer! The venue is historically magnificent!)

(Annabelle and Jace regularly participate in swim lessons at the local YMCA. Annabelle seems happy with the group activities.)

(Annabelle and Jace pose with the Easter bunny at a church egg hunt. We won several prizes at this event with a free raffle.)

(Jace takes a ball with him almost everywhere we go, hence the football here in his arms.)

(This is a really good photo of Carly at the concert.)

(Carter Faith opened for Carly Pierce. Her voice was amazing with some catchy lyrics!)

(Lisa and I pose in the majestic Tennessee Theater before the Carly Pierce show.)

 

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