I love my niece. I love my mother-in-law. I love the World Series. I love autumn. And even though it’s taken a long time to feel this way, I love my old boss, who fired me years ago because he happened to be the greasy Pawn of Satan. No. I’m only kidding.

I was going to write something else, but I changed my mind. And I know this is corny—believe me, I know—but I like you.

No, It’s true. We probably don’t know each other, but I really like you. In fact, I sort of love you to death. I swear it. And I just have a feeling that you need to hear that today.

Anyway, if you do, I’m your guy.

You know what else I love? Minnie Pearl. I love the way she always greeted audiences by saying, “How-DEE!” I would’ve married that woman if she would’ve been, say, seventy years younger.

I also love the cashier in Winn-Dixie. Her name is Linda, she’s from North Alabama, and she talks like it. She and her husband moved here for his job.

She showed me cellphone photos of her parents, brothers, and sisters. She wears a strong face when she talks, but I know homesickness when I see it.

“My mother is coming to town,” she told me. “For vacation, on Monday.”

She was so excited that it was blasting through her green eyes.

I love the boy selling magazine subscriptions at my front door. I didn’t want to buy magazines, but that kid deserved a few bucks for being brave enough to knock on a stranger’s door.

I asked why he was selling them. He told me it was because he wanted to earn enough to buy a cutting-edge smartphone.

For his grandmother.

I love Cracker Barrel. In the early morning. With the triangle-peg game. Coffee. Bacon. And an old friend.

And I love Brigette. You’d like her, too. She’s a four-foot-nine stick of dynamite with silver hair. Her husband had Alzheimer’s. Brigette was his caretaker. She gave everything to him. It’s just who she is. She gave until he flew away. Then she gave some more.

I love the white-haired man I saw today. He sat at the intersection with a backpack and a cardboard sign which read: “Going to Tallahassee.”

His name was Gary. His skin was sun-darkened. His son lives in Tallahassee.

I love my neighbor’s dog. The dog has liver cancer. She’s named Libby. Libby has been alive four years longer than the vet predicted.

Libby takes a short walk every day, by herself. Sometimes I see her on the road, limping.

I love my niece. I love my mother-in-law. I love the World Series. I love autumn. And even though it’s taken a long time to feel this way, I love my old boss, who fired me years ago because he happened to be the greasy Pawn of Satan. No. I’m only kidding.

Kind of.

I love the hoodlum who busted my truck window in a restaurant parking lot, trying to steal my stereo.

And I love the policeman who stared into my shattered window and said, “Why would ANYONE want to break into THIS ugly truck?”

Pretty trucks are just about worthless if you ask me.

I love my father. His last days on this earth were a sort of living hell. A period which I sometimes write about, because if I don’t, who will?

I love my mother, for helping me survive that hell.

I love my friends, for making me believe in my own written words. Words like this. You know who you are. I love my wife. My sister. I love our garbage man.

I love the lilies in our front-yard ditch. I love collard greens, fiddle music, and the smell of Granddaddy’s pomade.

I love clean-smelling laundry, campfires, and Conecuh Quickfreeze sausage. Biscuits, when they’re homemade. Cocktail lights, and older women with pricetags dangling from their big hats who say, “Hooowwww-DEEE!”

Anyway, maybe I shouldn’t have written this. After all, there’s no real point to it.

But in case you need to hear it today…

Well. You know the rest.

48 comments

  1. Marilyn Mason - July 1, 2018 1:28 pm

    And, I love that my friend from Washington State suggested I look up your blog. He knew I’d love you too.

    Reply
  2. Sue Cronkite - July 1, 2018 1:46 pm

    Good ‘un. I loved Minnie Pearl. I interviewed her for a story in the Florida Times-Union a million years ago. She was in Jacksonville promoting a chicken franchise, Kentucky Fried maybe. She called my home to invite me to a party. My children, who paid no attention to people I wrote about, were blown away with excitement. They showed my work some respect for awhile, and called out “howdy” to me.

    Reply
  3. Camille Atkins - July 1, 2018 1:50 pm

    Love you more!

    Reply
  4. Dianne Rathje - July 1, 2018 1:53 pm

    sharing your thoughts with us is such a great way to start EVERY day! Thanx!

    Reply
  5. Dianne Correll - July 1, 2018 1:57 pm

    Thanks, I needed this!!

    Reply
  6. Brenda - July 1, 2018 2:00 pm

    Your right, I needed this.

    Reply
  7. Michael Guilday - July 1, 2018 2:06 pm

    I love guys that are secure enough in their own skin to say, “I love you”. My dad couldn’t utter those words. I love you Sean. I broke the cycle. My two children, my son-in-law and my wife have a small hand sign that we use to tell the others in our family, “I love you”. It’s secret so I can’t share it. Unless you have a 30 year old female cousin that might be interested in my 30 year old son who is single. Then you’d be family and we could let you in on the secret hand sign.

    Reply
  8. Starr - July 1, 2018 2:10 pm

    Not sure there is
    Anyone out there that doesn’t have room in their day for one more “I love you”! I am one of them. Thank you Sean!

    Reply
  9. Dale Coleman - July 1, 2018 2:15 pm

    Love always. Well done sir. Keep spreading the love.

    Reply
  10. Terri - July 1, 2018 2:26 pm

    I love you too, Sean.

    Reply
  11. Marilyn - July 1, 2018 2:26 pm

    A good friend showed me your blog and I am hooked! And, Sean, I love you too. Your positive writings are the best way to start my day after thanking God for another one!

    Reply
  12. Jeanne Butler - July 1, 2018 2:35 pm

    And I love you Sean for making sad days better

    Reply
  13. Marjorie - July 1, 2018 2:40 pm

    I love you too. 🙂

    Reply
  14. Bess - July 1, 2018 3:01 pm

    Love ya
    to the moon ? and back!

    Reply
  15. Edna B. - July 1, 2018 3:13 pm

    It’s so important to tell the folks you love that you love them. Today is a gift. You may not get the chance tomorrow. Pogo and I love you too. You start my every morning off with a smile. You have an awesome day Sean, hugs, Edna B.

    Reply
  16. Grace Murdock - July 1, 2018 3:15 pm

    Back at cha!❤️

    Reply
  17. Pam - July 1, 2018 3:19 pm

    You’re awesome, Mr.Sean!!?

    Reply
  18. Marty and Betsy West - July 1, 2018 3:24 pm

    And we love you!! ?

    Reply
  19. Lylabeth King - July 1, 2018 4:03 pm

    Sean, you continue to be a blessing to me. Thank you. Love you, too.

    Reply
  20. Janice Martin - July 1, 2018 4:10 pm

    Love you back. Your writing helps me see the good in the world.

    Reply
  21. Linda Chapman - July 1, 2018 4:59 pm

    I love you, too, Sean. I truly do!

    Reply
  22. wandajb - July 1, 2018 5:08 pm

    I love your blog—so glad I found it! I love your writing voice, and I love you, too. 🙂

    Reply
  23. Shelton Armour - July 1, 2018 5:49 pm

    I think we always need to hear it…so thanks. And back at you.

    Reply
  24. Venetia Redd - July 1, 2018 6:17 pm

    And, I love you, Sean.

    Reply
  25. Linda Steele - July 1, 2018 6:32 pm

    Loving unconditionally is the most spiritual, uplifting thing that anyone can do. And that’s what you’re expressing. Such a good model for happiness, peace and joy. Thank you.

    Reply
  26. jnearen - July 1, 2018 6:33 pm

    You know what I love. I love my dog. And, he loved me too. Yesterday he was on the sidewalk opposite me and crossed over to be with me. Right in front of a car. I can’t stop crying. He was more than a dog, somehow. He was my friend, my confident, my greeter, my sleeping buddy. Next to my wife and kids, he was the most precious thing in my life. Now he’s gone. Just like that. I can’t get the sound and vision out of my head. I want to remember him as he was–completely happy and full of life. I want to remember living with him in Colorado, then Costa Rica, then Alabama. But all I can see is his beautiful face horribly disfigured from the collision. I love you, too, Sean. Jim. Orange Beach, AL.

    Reply
    • Melanie - July 2, 2018 12:56 am

      @Jim I am so very sad to read this. My sincere sympathy on your loss of your best friend. It is a devastating loss for you and your family. Rest In Peace pup and Jim will meet you someday at the Rainbow Bridge where you will be waiting for him. (Hugs )

      Reply
    • Kay in Texas - July 2, 2018 10:24 pm

      Jim/jnearen, I am so sorry for your loss. It’s incredibly tough to lose someone you’ve loved, especially when their love for you was so deep and unconditional. You’ve written a beautiful tribute. My heart goes out to you and your family

      Reply
  27. Nancy - July 1, 2018 6:44 pm

    I love you too, Sean and thank you for telling me that you love me first!

    Reply
  28. Jack Darnell - July 1, 2018 7:24 pm

    Howdy yourownself! I am not sure about the love, but I am beginning to like you a lot! 😉

    Reply
  29. Barbara Pope - July 1, 2018 7:28 pm

    We need to hear that every day!

    Reply
  30. Marla Patterson - July 1, 2018 8:11 pm

    I love to read you everyday. It’s changed my life. I love you too.

    Reply
  31. Rachel - July 1, 2018 9:30 pm

    One of your better ones. Needed this today
    I love you too

    Reply
  32. Melanie - July 1, 2018 9:50 pm

    Thanks Sean. I did. Even though my 2 dogs and 3 cats tell me every day I still appreciate hearing it from a complete stranger. ❤️

    Reply
  33. Bobbie - July 1, 2018 11:24 pm

    I love you right back, Sean! <3

    Reply
  34. Jody - July 2, 2018 1:00 am

    ❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  35. Kathy - July 2, 2018 1:03 am

    Well, after reading this, I didn’t realize I loved so much!! Thank you!! I love you too and so much more!

    Reply
  36. Nix LaVerdi - July 2, 2018 1:39 am

    I loved reading about all those things that you love. I have not placed a comment in a bit, but I read everything you write. Thank you Sean! -Nix

    Reply
  37. Jon Dragonfly - July 2, 2018 2:43 am

    Love you, too.
    But can you beat the triangle-peg game?

    Reply
  38. Sherri Standifer - July 2, 2018 11:57 am

    I also love you, Sean. You are beautiful. Inside and out.

    Reply
  39. Janet Mary Lee - July 2, 2018 2:55 pm

    As so often happens When you write, just what I need! Lots of love, admiration and respect right back at you!
    May May sends love to Thel!

    Reply
  40. LARRY WALL - July 2, 2018 7:21 pm

    Just, what, the world, needs more of, right now, Sean. And from those of us who don’t drop you a note every day, we kinda like having you around, too. Did you like the commas? 🙂

    Reply
  41. joyce luker - July 3, 2018 11:55 pm

    Love to read your blog,just what we need! Keep on writing! !

    Reply
  42. C.E. HARBIN - July 5, 2018 8:28 am

    Thanks….and …you know.

    Reply
  43. Beckie - August 27, 2018 1:29 pm

    Thank you Sean

    Reply
  44. Steve Winfield - August 28, 2018 12:25 am

    I’m starting to love you too.
    I thought the first commenter was Marilyn Manson. OMG! I did a double take there.

    Reply
  45. Cindy Godwin - August 28, 2018 3:16 am

    Sean, I love you and all your wonderful stories. i love so many people in my life, some I have only known for a short while or dont know very well and feel kind of weird telling them that I love them, so I dont, but wish you could tell people that truth without having your motives questioned. Maybe that’s just my own hang up, anyway, thank you for all the wonderful expressions about who and what you love, it was wonderful as usual!

    Reply
  46. Jess from Athens, GA - December 11, 2018 6:31 pm

    I love and appreciate the fact that Ches, the guy who occasionally teaches our Sunday school class mentioned your name not on one Sunday, but on two separate Sundays. I didn’t pay much attention the first time he mentioned your name, but luckily I did the second time and I did a bit of computer searching…and started reading your blog. Now I’m pretty hooked on reading you every day. Your writings caused me to reflect on my life….the good and the not so good things I’ve encountered and or done. Thanks, Sean, I appreciate you very much.

    Reply

Leave a Comment