The country music legend Loretta Lynn was given a major honor on Tuesday, when a statue of her was unveiled on the Ryman’s Icon Walk in Nashville, Tennessee.

Fox 17 reported that Lynn’s statue joins sculptures of the likes of Little Jimmy Dickens and “Father of Bluegrass” Bill Monroe. Her daughters Patsy Russell and Peggy Lynn were in attendance at the unveiling, as their 88 year-old mother unfortunately could not attend.

Though she was not able to be at the event herself, Lynn made it clear that this honor meant a lot to her by reminiscing about her first time going to Ryman’s Auditorium.

“I will never forget the morning Dolittle and I pulled in and parked in front of the Ryman Auditorium for the very first time. It was 1960 and I had a No. 14 Record on the charts called ‘I’m A Honky Tonk Girl.’ My dream, like thousands of other singers, was just to sing on the Grand Ole Opry. Being a member of the Grand Ole Opry has been one of the greatest honors of my life.

For many years I’ve stood on the stage of the Ryman and there’s no place like it. Now they’re unveiling this statue in my honor. It’s like I’m going to get to be there for many more years to come. It means so much to have the statue and to be a part of all of these wonderful artists. One day soon I’m gonna get to come up there and see it for myself. But for today I want to say thank you and I love each and every one of you for thinking of me.”

This piece originally appeared in UpliftingToday.com and is used by permission.

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