After returning home from my daughter’s funeral, I discovered a tent in my backyard — what I found inside left me in shock

“She was such a light,” someone else added. I nodded, but I couldn’t really hear them.

All I could think of was Lily’s laugh. How her little giggle could fill a room. I’d never hear it again. That thought crushed me more than anything. I wanted to scream, but no sound came out.

As people filtered out, offering their condolences, I just kept staring at the empty chair where Lily should’ve been. My body felt heavy, like I was dragging myself through mud, and my mind kept wandering back to her final days.

“Let me know if you need anything,” a voice said as I walked out of the cemetery. I nodded but didn’t respond. What could anyone do?

The drive home was silent. I couldn’t turn on the radio—music felt wrong, somehow. I just wanted quiet. The kind of quiet where you can pretend the world stopped with your grief.

When I pulled into the driveway, I wasn’t even sure how I got there. I sat in the car for a minute, staring at the house, trying to gather the energy to go inside. I didn’t want to face that empty space. Not without her.

But something stopped me before I could get out.

There, in the backyard, was a tent.

A huge, brightly colored tent. The kind you’d see at a circus. Red and yellow stripes, with little flags fluttering at the top. It didn’t make sense. My heart jumped into my throat.

“What… is that?” I whispered to myself.

I blinked, rubbed my eyes. Maybe I was hallucinating. Grief does strange things to people, right? I was exhausted, emotionally drained. But no, the tent was still there. Bold, bright, and out of place. It was like a splash of color in a black-and-white world.

I got out of the car slowly, my legs feeling like they might give way at any second. Who would put a tent in my yard? And on today, of all days? My head spun with questions. Was this some sort of prank? Or had I completely lost it?

I walked closer, every step feeling heavier than the last. The wind picked up, rustling the colorful flags on top of the tent. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst.

“This can’t be real,” I muttered, clenching my fists.

But it was real. As I got closer, I could see the details—the stitching on the fabric, the wooden stakes holding it in place. My mind raced. There was no note, no sign of who had put it there or why.

I reached out, my hand trembling as I touched the flap of the tent. It felt solid, real. My stomach twisted. I didn’t want to open it, but I had to know what was inside.

With a deep breath, I gripped the edge of the flap and pulled it open.

I opened the tent flap slowly, my breath shallow, heart racing. Inside, there was something bundled up in the middle of the space. For a second, my mind couldn’t make sense of it. It was wrapped in a blanket, small and still. My stomach twisted, and I couldn’t stop the flood of memories that hit me all at once.

Lily, lying in the hospital bed. So pale. So fragile. The tubes, the machines. I remember her tiny body swallowed by the blankets, the way she barely moved in those last few days. My knees nearly buckled under the weight of it all.

“No,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “No, not again…”

I took a step forward, my whole body shaking. The sight in front of me felt like another cruel joke, like the world was mocking me. Why today? Why now?

Suddenly, the bundle moved.

I gasped, freezing in place. My heart pounded so loud I could hear it in my ears. For a split second, I didn’t know what to do. My mind spun, expecting the worst, preparing for more pain.

But then, a small head popped out from under the blanket. A tiny, golden retriever puppy, its fur soft and golden like sunlight. It blinked up at me with wide, curious eyes, a pink bow tied around its neck. My breath caught in my throat. I stared, completely overwhelmed.

“What… what are you doing here?” I whispered, my voice cracking.

The puppy wiggled out of the blanket and stumbled toward me, wagging its little tail. It was so full of life, so innocent, a stark contrast to the grief that had consumed me for so long. I knelt down slowly, reaching out to touch the soft fur, still in disbelief. My fingers trembled as they brushed against the puppy’s coat, warm and alive.

Tears welled up in my eyes. “Why is there a puppy here? Who did this?” My voice broke, the confusion mixing with the heavy sadness I had carried all day.

As I stroked the puppy, I noticed something else—an envelope tucked under the blanket. My heart skipped a beat. With shaking hands, I picked it up and stared at it for a moment. The handwriting on the front was familiar. My breath hitched as I recognized it. Lily’s handwriting. Messy, but hers.

Tears blurred my vision as I carefully opened the envelope. Inside was a note, short and simple. My hands shook as I read the words.

“Dear Mommy,

I know you’re sad because I had to go to heaven. But I wanted to leave you something to help you smile again. I asked Daddy to get you a puppy, so you’ll have someone to cuddle with when you’re missing me. Her name is Daisy, and she loves to play! Please take care of her for me. I’ll always be with you, watching from above. I love you so much.

Love, Lily.”

I dropped to my knees, clutching the note to my chest. The tears came in waves, and I couldn’t stop them. I cried harder than I had at the funeral. Harder than I had since the moment I knew I was losing her.

“Lily…” I sobbed, my voice barely a whisper.

Even in her final days, my sweet little girl had been thinking of me. She knew. She knew how much I’d miss her, how much it would hurt. And she found a way to make sure I wouldn’t be alone. A puppy. A new life to care for, to love.

I held Daisy close, the warmth of her little body grounding me in the moment. I could still feel Lily’s presence. The tent, the puppy—it was all part of her last gift to me. A way to remind me that even though she was gone, her love would always be with me.

The tent didn’t feel so strange anymore. It was a place for me to find Daisy, a place to feel connected to Lily one more time.

Over the next few days, Daisy became my shadow. She followed me everywhere, her tiny paws tapping on the floor as she scampered after me. At first, I didn’t know what to do. How could I care for this puppy when my heart was so shattered?

But Daisy didn’t give me much choice. She’d nuzzle into my side when I was curled up on the couch, licking my hand until I smiled through my tears. She’d bounce around with her little pink bow, full of energy and joy, reminding me of the brightness Lily used to bring.

Every morning, I’d sit with my coffee, Daisy at my feet, and I’d think of Lily. I’d imagine her watching over me, her smile still lighting up the sky. And every time Daisy curled up in my lap, I felt a piece of Lily’s love wrapping around me.

Daisy wasn’t a replacement. Nothing could ever replace my Lily. But she was a part of her. A living, breathing reminder of the love Lily left behind. Slowly, day by day, the weight on my chest lightened, just a little.

Taking care of Daisy pulled me out of the fog I’d been in. I had to get up, feed her, play with her. She needed me, just like Lily had known I’d need her.

Lily had given me one final gift: a reason to keep going. And even though the pain of losing her would never fully go away, I knew now that I wasn’t facing it alone.

At 77, Dolly has confirmed that the rumors are true. I don’t care who you are or what you think of Dolly Parton, this is a courageous step for her to take, and we wish her the best

Dolly Parton has been there and done pretty much all there is to do in the music industry.

And yet… and yet the country music icon is still finding ways to challenge herself and broaden her scope of magnificence.

As per reports, fans the world over are reacting with joy over reports that Dolly is finally set to release her first-ever rock album! You may remember that the 77-year-old was inducted into the Hollywood Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year, one year on from having turned down the nomination as she felt she hadn’t “earned the right”.

Though Dolly eventually accepted her entry, it would appear she’s eager to ensure no one can say she doesn’t belong. Dolly previously promised to release a rock album to commemorate her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and we now have a release date!

If sources are to be believed, Parton was initially reluctant to be in the conversation for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Jolene singer was said to be of the opinion that since her career consists mostly of country music, others were perhaps more suited.

In the end, however, the people spoke, and voters decided that Dolly did belong there. In November 2022 she was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and immediately set about trying to ensure that her selection was justified.

Her new rock album is now one step closer to becoming a reality, with Dolly herself having confirmed it will be titled ‘Rockstar’ and is due to drop November 17.

As per reports, there are 30 tracks in total on the album, nine of which are original. The remaining 21 consist of collaborations with other artists and feature new versions of tracks made famous by said featuring artist. A new take on Every Breath You Take by Sting will be on the album, for example, as will Wrecking Ball by Dolly’s goddaughter, Miley Cyrus

Other distinguished guests set to appear on the album include Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, Stevie Nicks, and Steven Tyler.

Reflecting on her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Dolly told The View earlier this year:

“I just didn’t feel like I had earned it but they explained to me why I was in it and all that so I said, ‘Well, if you insist on giving it to me, I’ll take it’.”

“But if I’m gonna be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I’m gonna have to do something to earn it.”

The full list of songs on the album is reportedly as follows:

‘Rockstar’ (special guest Richie Sambora)
‘World on Fire’
‘Every Breath You Take’ (feat. Sting)
‘Open Arms’ (feat. Steve Perry)
‘Magic Man’ (feat. Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Leese)
‘Long As I Can See the Light’ (feat. John Fogerty)
‘Either Or’ (feat. Kid Rock)
‘I Want You Back’ (feat. Steven Tyler with special guest Warren Haynes)
‘What Has Rock and Roll Ever Done for You’ (feat. Stevie Nicks with special guest Waddy Wachtel)
‘Purple Rain’
‘Baby, I Love Your Way’ (feat. Peter Frampton)
‘I Hate Myself for Loving You’ (feat. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts)
‘Night Moves’ (feat. Chris Stapleton)
‘Wrecking Ball’ (feat. Miley Cyrus)
‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ (feat. P!nk & Brandi Carlile)
‘Keep on Loving You’ (feat. Kevin Cronin)
‘Heart of Glass’ (feat. Debbie Harry)
‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’ (feat. Elton John)
‘Tried to Rock and Roll Me’ (feat. Melissa Etheridge)
‘Stairway to Heaven’ (feat. Lizzo & Sasha Flute)
‘We Are the Champions’
‘Bygones’ (feat. Rob Halford with special guests Nikki Sixx & John 5)
‘My Blue Tears’ (feat. Simon Le Bon)
‘What’s Up?’ (feat. Linda Perry)
‘You’re No Good’ (feat. Emmylou Harris & Sheryl Crow)
‘Heartbreaker’ (feat. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo)
‘Bittersweet’ (feat. Michael McDonald)
‘I Dreamed About Elvis’ (feat. Ronnie McDowell with special guest The Jordanaires)
‘Let It Be’ (feat. Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr with special guests Peter Frampton & Mick Fleetwood)
‘Free Bird’ (feat. Ronnie Van Zant with special guests Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle and The Artimus Pyle Band)

As per Billboard, Dolly said in a statement: “I am very honoured and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers and musicians of all time, and to be able to sing all the iconic songs throughout the album was a joy beyond measure.

“I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together!”

I’m so happy to see Dolly still making music and still enjoying her work even at 77!

Are you a fan of Dolly Parton and her music? Let us know in the comments box.

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