Dolly leaves us full of surprises and full of those happy tears when emotions just overwhelm your heart. She grew up in a home with eleven siblings. She once told how her family didn't even have electricity in their home. In fact, it was this experience that made her who she is today. It drew her to cherish the true meaning of family — and the true meaning of the holiday season.

“I was always so proud that I could do for my family when I started making some money…It was always my wish to do something great for my family. I loved my daddy and my mama. My daddy always drove a truck. I bought my daddy a big blue truck, and he was always so proud of that. He would never trade it in…That same year I bought my mama a Cadillac. That went back to me when Mama passed on. I wouldn’t take nothing for it.”

She loves that car so much, that she named it the Dolly-Mama. She jokes about how no one is allowed to mess with the Dolly-Mama. That car means more to her than all the diamonds in the world. It's this same attitude that reminds us that money isn't everything and that being able to do for someone else is more valuable than anything we can give them.

Her parents worked very hard to look after their children; and at times when they found themselves falling short, their family was stronger than nails holding on to one another. This was Dolly's way of showing her appreciation for all that they did.

In light of the $900 Million Dollar Powerball, any one of us could find ourselves able to do for our family. Would you follow in Dolly's shoes? Or, would you do something else? Comment below. We're looking forward to hearing from you.

Article Source: CBS Local

Photo Source: Dolly Parton (Will Russell/Getty Images)