When we lose someone who is special to us, it can really cause us to grieve for a long time. The emotion that is tied up in that loss is something that far too many of us experience.

One person who understands the grief of loss is Dolly Parton. She has lost many loved ones in her life, including a fellow performer and songwriter, Kris Kristofferson.

After Kristofferson passed away, Dolly Parton had an opportunity to offer a eulogy that would show the depth of her sorrow and the gratitude she had for knowing him. He was a brother to her and the eulogy was a final letter to a friend.

Dolly Parton was dressed in a simple black outfit that showed her grace, even in the face of such a difficult situation. As she approached the podium, her eyes filled with tears but she also had a heart full of love.

She said: “Kris wasn’t just a songwriter. He was a truth-teller. He had the courage to write what the rest of us were too scared to say.”

As she spoke about how they crossed paths in Nashville many years ago, it was obviously something special to her. She knew him on a very personal level, speaking about the talent he had but also his loyalty and compassion.

She continued: “You could hear the ache in his voice when he sang because he carried the world’s pain like it was his own.”

She spoke about the laughter that they would share and the conversations they had about fame and faith, things that mattered to both of them. As she spoke about how he would not compromise, and his personal beliefs, she had a strong conviction in her voice as well.

She continued, “Kris lived like a song, messy, beautiful, honest – and unforgettable”

She then concluded by saying: “Rest easy, my friend. You gave us your heart in every line, and we’ll carry your music in ours for the rest of our lives.”

This was more than a moment, it was a testament to a good friend and fellow artist.