She was one of only a handful of people who served as conduit, translating southern American roots music to the wider world. She exuded faith, hope and love for all people. She showed that respect, and received it in kind, through her labor for humanity, opening millions to a form of expression they might not otherwise have enjoyed. It is not just the streets of Nashville that mourn today. It is the black churches in lower Mississippi where they sing in remembrance. The gay clubs in Manhattan where they dance to a Dolly remix, the pop culture convention in Toledo where they raise the Vulcan salute. It is the flea markets of El Paso and Salt Lake City, the farm fields of the upper peninsula, the lobster boats of the Maine coast, the factory parking lots of Cleveland, and the hills of Kentucky. In short, it is us. One nation. Today we can be together in our sadness that a light was lost and in our gratitude that she left so much behind. We will always love you, Dolly.