Many are celebrating the life and mourning the death of Dolly Parton. By any way it can be measured, Dolly Parton was a wonderful person. In so many ways Dolly Parton lent a helping hand to those who needed one. I join the countless number of people around the world who remember Dolly Parton as a wonderful humanitarian.

There are many people who give of themselves in countless ways, improving the lives of others. Not many of these selfless people are as famous as Dolly, so their deeds often go unnoticed. There is one such couple that I want to honor. My Dolly Parton is Jean and Marshall Jackson, who I am with in the photo above, who gave me a home when I so desperately needed one.

Jean and Marshall Jackson were there to lend me a helping hand in my preteen and teenage years.They were youth leaders in the church I attended during those years, and accepted me into their family. Although they had a daughter and a son and a busy life, they made room for me in it. Most Sundays I went home with them after church, enjoying a wonderful home cooked meal, and a normal life that was far removed from my home life. Their influence on my life extended to my college years. I have no doubt that their influence had much to do with me having the courage to reach out and grab a life that I was not destined to have.

“Take the Helping Hand When You Need it” is only one part of this story. The other part is “Be the helping Hand When You Don’t.” (I regret that I am unable to give credit to the source of this quote; I failed to record that.)

There is no shame in needing help. There should be shame when someone recognizes a need and fails to reach out and help meet that need. If you are reading this and feeling this might apply to you, it isn’t too late. Reach out and touch someone, and be the helping hand that can alleviate the suffering for others. Let’s all be a Dolly, or a Jean and Marshall Jackson.

I had the privilege of reconnecting with Jean and Marshall Jackson and their daughter Jan over breakfast in Raleigh last week. Jean and Marshal celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this past January. They will be ninety years old in February and March, and remain very active. And they are still connecting with those they love, and I am so thankful to be in their circle. The breakfast we shared at First Watch was so nourishing, but even more nourishing was the love we shared.

And I Will Always Love You, Jean and Marshall Jackson.