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Our love of Dolly Parton transcended divides because her love of others transcended divisions.

Dolly knew what mattered most in life, and research supports that she was right.

Healthy relationships are the key to health and happiness. The good life is loving others.

Most Americans, and countless millions around the world, are mourning the death of country music legend and philanthropist Dolly Parton, who died Aug. 25 at the age of 80. The tributes and the outpouring of love and grief are testament to the life she lived. In our divided states of America, we are united in our grief. We all feel like we lost a truly great human being. We did. The world was a better place with Dolly Parton in it.

To be honest, I'm not even a country music fan. But my sadness runs deep.

Why was Dolly so universally beloved? What was so special about her that our love for her transcends our divides?

Dolly loved her neighbors - all of them. She knew the truth that we're all neighbors in an interconnected world. Her family, announcing her death, said her warmth "made us all feel like family."

We loved Dolly because Dolly loved everyone.

Rich in Kindness and Love and Understanding

Where does love like that come from? Dolly grew up one of 12 children in a tiny house in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Economically, the Partons had almost nothing. When little Dolly came home crying because schoolkids had mocked The Coat of Many Colors her mother sewed her from rags, her mother told her she never wanted to hear her say they were poor: "We are rich in kindness and love and understanding." Dolly learned early on that love is true wealth.

Ye Shall Know Them By Their Fruits

Dolly was a Christian who let her love do the talking. Jesus said, "Ye shall know them by their fruits." And Dolly had a standing answer for the fine Christians who pressed her to judge one group of people over another:

"I keep saying, 'If you're the fine Christian that you think you are, why are you judging people?........

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