Today

Anyway, today I hope someone you love tells you how they feel about you—even if you already know it. And I double-hope they show you. No. I triple-hope it. Quadruple-hope. Times infinity.

I hope you have a good day today. I don’t mean an oh-my-God-I-won-the-lottery kind of day. That would be too much euphoria for one afternoon.

No, I hope you have a plain, old-fashioned good day.

Like when an old friend calls and you talk for three hours. Or when you hear “Always On My Mind” on the radio.

I hope you meet someone who impresses you. Like the man I met at Lowe’s yesterday.

He had no legs and one arm. He drove a motorized wheelchair. He was buying supplies to fix his bathroom sink. His young son walked beside him.

We had a conversation, waiting in line. Before I left, the man shook my hand and said, “Hey man, I hope you have a good day.”

Me.

Anyway, today I hope someone you love tells you how they feel about you—even if you already know it. And I double-hope they show you. No. I triple-hope it. Quadruple-hope. Times infinity.

May you get kissed by a dog, a kid, or anyone with white hair. I hope you kiss back. Kisses get hard to come by once you get lines on your face.

I hope you forget about people who did you wrong. And when you try to recall painful times, I hope you can’t remember a damn one.

I hope you think about your granddaddy. Or your granny. Anyone who called you, “child,” “young’un,” or, “baby.” And may you remember what kind of simple world this place was when you were young.

I hope you feel important.

And I hope someone tells you how nice you look. It’s good to feel attractive. And, by God, you are.

I hope you eat something rich. I’m talking food your doctor warns you about. Such as: vanilla ice cream with caramel, fried chicken from a paper bucket, a Dean’s layer cake, a chili-dog with extra onions.

I hope you sit on a sofa and watch something in black-and-white. And when the hero gets the girl, I hope you saw it coming.

I hope you sit outside tonight, like I’m doing. And I hope you feel it.

It. The stuff floating around you.

I don’t know what it is. I can’t see it, smell it, touch, or taste it, but it’s there. I wish I knew more about it, but then again, I don’t want to. That might ruin it.

Whatever it is, I don’t think it’s in ornate cathedrals, bestselling self-help books, careers, popularity, or five easy payments of $19.99. Or in your wallet.

I believe it’s in these stars. These longleaf pines. In good dogs, toddlers, music, and mamas.

And in men who only have only one limb. Who still spend Monday afternoons at hardware stores.

Whoever you are, I hope you know that a complete stranger is thinking about you tonight. This stranger wishes he had a magic wand, and could make your life into all the things you want it to be. But that’s not how it works.

So I’ll just tell you what a beautiful stranger once said to me:

I hope you have a good day.

72 comments

  1. Kelly - August 2, 2017 11:16 am

    Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Rev. Steve Baccus - August 2, 2017 11:19 am

    Thanks, Sean. I hope your day is just as good.

    Reply
  3. Jan Hammac - August 2, 2017 11:28 am

    You are such a blessing! Hope your day is good too, my friend.

    Reply
  4. Marty from Alabama - August 2, 2017 11:30 am

    Wishing the whole wide world has a good day.

    Reply
  5. Susan in Georgia - August 2, 2017 11:30 am

    Have a GOOD DAY yourself, Sean, you beautiful guy, you! And thanks for making me grin this morning 🙂

    Reply
  6. Lorry - August 2, 2017 11:35 am

    I think I’m keeping this one forever. Thank you. You have a good day. No, a great one.

    Or as we say to customers who come buy our yummy fried chicken from the deli at the Piggly Wiggly in Guntersville. Have a wonderful day! 🙂

    Reply
  7. Alice - August 2, 2017 11:35 am

    Thank you I wish the same for you God Bless You❤️

    Reply
  8. Melanie - August 2, 2017 11:50 am

    Thank you. You will be the only soul on earth wishing me this today and it feels like a special blessing. So enjoy reading your writing every day.

    Reply
    • Flo - September 17, 2017 9:57 am

      Melanie- as I read this early in the am on a different day- I hope you have a good day today!

      Reply
  9. Wayne from L. A. (Lower Alabama) - August 2, 2017 12:00 pm

    Last night I was driving home from a meeting at church. Some people had shared how God had changed their lives in mighty and small ways. It was a good meeting. As I reflected on it I got to thinking about when life seemed simpler. And I remembered the simple joy a few things from my childhood. The one that stuck was a little bag of Lance Salted Peanuts and a 10 oz Coke (in a bottle). I’m not sure you’ve ever experienced pleasure if you’ve never taken a couple sips of that Coke, and then poured those peanuts in. That is a treat.
    So today I wish you a Coke and a bag of Lance Salted Peanuts brought together. It might not make everything all better. But it will help.
    Have a good day.

    Reply
    • Belinda swindke - September 17, 2017 12:29 pm

      Amen coke and peanuts are the best!!

      Reply
    • Sue - September 17, 2017 7:27 pm

      Memories of driving to the beach. Highway 31 seemed endless. The stop at a gas station to fill up the car, choose an ice cold “Coke” and a bag of peanuts. Lovely.

      Reply
  10. Michael Bishop - August 2, 2017 12:02 pm

    Your latest piece is an excellent start to a good day. Right back atcha!

    Reply
  11. LeAnne Martin - August 2, 2017 12:31 pm

    Your words are such a treat, Sean–kind of like a hot fudge sundae with extra hot fudge. Or my mama’s mashed potatoes. Or a cup of freshly-made English Breakfast tea, which is what I drink every morning while I read your words. May you have a good day, too.

    Reply
  12. Barbara - August 2, 2017 12:33 pm

    Thank you Sean. I believe I will! You too!

    Reply
  13. Lynnis - August 2, 2017 12:34 pm

    …And to you, beautiful stranger! Thank you Sean, for making our day even better. Now, go have a great day. We’ll check in on you tomorrow.

    Reply
  14. V - August 2, 2017 12:41 pm

    Thank you for your advice. I just need to try sitting outside rather than watching this God forsaken TV.

    Reply
  15. Sam Hunneman - August 2, 2017 12:41 pm

    And now I’m thinking about “Star Stuff” like Carl Sagan used to talk about ’cause that was surely a greeting card for the universe. Thanks, Sean, and right back atcha.

    Reply
  16. Sharon - August 2, 2017 12:51 pm

    I hesitate to call the Holy Spirit “it” because He is not. He is……part of the Holy Trinity and so many more names.

    Reply
  17. Debbie - August 2, 2017 12:56 pm

    Best one. Going to start my day with this everyday.

    Reply
  18. Bobbie - August 2, 2017 1:02 pm

    Ditto, Sean, ditto!

    Reply
  19. Camille Atkins - August 2, 2017 1:15 pm

    OMG, a Dean’s 7 layer Caramel and/or Chocolate cake–to die for!

    Reply
    • Patty - May 20, 2018 4:01 pm

      Dean’s caramel cake is the best! Not always easy to find, but is well worth the hunt?

      Reply
  20. Peggy - August 2, 2017 1:18 pm

    Thank you kind sir, and good wishes for you also. ?

    Reply
  21. Mary Anne - August 2, 2017 1:20 pm

    Thanks, Sean, for another uplifting post today. I hope you have a great day today too. You sure helped start my day off well. As to the man you met in Lowe’s, I salute him for his good outlook on life. God Bless Him. I often give thanks for the use of two hands and two feet. I have a bum ankle from an old injury/surgery, it hurts a lot but it still works. I felt sorry for myself back in 1981 when I was on crutches (from surgery) and in a lot of pain…until I was lying in my hospital room and saw someone being rolled down the hall past my doorway with no feet. Aha, I thought, I have no reason to complain. Since I earn my living (as most of us do) using my two hands, I’m very grateful that both of them still work pretty well…age spots and all.

    Reply
  22. Cathi Russell - August 2, 2017 1:28 pm

    Big smiles! I hope your day is nothing short of spectacular, tbe kind of day you’ll remember with a goofy smile. Because we all need a day like that at least once a month. Today should be yours! Your books arrived yesterday and they’re gonna be my spectacular day today! See tomorrow!

    Reply
  23. Ernie Tompkins - August 2, 2017 1:35 pm

    You continue to add value to my day! Your writing is inspirational! Thank you!

    Reply
  24. Jennifer Moon - August 2, 2017 1:53 pm

    I have to say that I’m a brand new subscriber and I’m definitely not disappointed. I should have subscribed a long time ago. Have a great day!

    Reply
  25. Connie - August 2, 2017 2:07 pm

    Right back to you. Your writing inspires me every day. You are a beautiful soul. God bless.

    Reply
  26. Connie - August 2, 2017 2:13 pm

    Right back at you. You inspire me daily. You are a beautiful soul. God bless.

    Reply
  27. Deborah - August 2, 2017 2:32 pm

    My day always has one shiny, bright spot when I read your words.

    Reply
  28. Allison - August 2, 2017 2:49 pm

    Hope you have a great day! You just made mine on my birthday! 🙂

    Reply
  29. Jeannie - August 2, 2017 2:52 pm

    Right back at you, Sean!

    Reply
  30. Maryina - August 2, 2017 2:55 pm

    Thank you for this important message! It moved me on so many levels! Wishing the same for you…

    Reply
  31. Kay Keel - August 2, 2017 3:02 pm

    I hope you have a good day too Sean! Your columns have given me lots of smiles, big ol’ grins and a few tears, and I appreciate you for all of them!

    Reply
  32. Kathy Daum - August 2, 2017 3:17 pm

    Thank you. You helped me think about so many good things.

    Reply
  33. Alan - August 2, 2017 3:28 pm

    I live in the UK, but I have internet friends mostly across the USA and other countries, we talk and like each others post everyday, although we would never meet in person, and that means the world to me. Follow your letters daily, thank you and have a good day yourself. Alan.

    Reply
  34. ROBERT ANDERSON - August 2, 2017 3:28 pm

    Very humbling and very good!

    Reply
  35. Buck Godwin - August 2, 2017 3:45 pm

    I read this to a young woman who works for me who has fallen on hard times. She fell into my arms and bawled.

    I did too.

    Reply
  36. Marisa Franca @ All Our Way - August 2, 2017 4:23 pm

    Thank you! Back at you!!

    Reply
  37. Dolores Fort - August 2, 2017 4:54 pm

    Thank you, Sean, I needed that!

    Reply
  38. Hal - August 2, 2017 5:57 pm

    Thanks Sean- i shared this with someone very special to me thats going thru difficult times, and she’s Always On My Mind.
    “Just living is not enough,” said the butterfly. “One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” – Author Unknown

    Reply
  39. Alfred Adan - August 2, 2017 6:06 pm

    You, too, Sean. You, too.

    Reply
  40. Meloney - August 2, 2017 6:16 pm

    Sean, you write as good as Lewis Grizzard did.

    Reply
    • Gus - September 17, 2017 4:55 pm

      Similar but different. I loved Lewis in his day but the stage is Seans now. I’d love to hear more dog stories. Lewis’ dog Catfish was my favorite of his writings, as is Ellie May. I had a dog named Catfish long before I met Lewis. Maybe I’ll have an Ellie May some day. Have yourself the day of your liking.

      Reply
  41. Marion Pitts - August 2, 2017 6:28 pm

    Thank you. I needed this soulful reminder!

    Reply
  42. Mary Wilkinson - August 2, 2017 6:37 pm

    Thanks for making my day, Sean!

    Reply
  43. Barbara Nelle Ewell - August 2, 2017 6:56 pm

    I’m having an even better one — now.

    Reply
  44. Hal from Fla. - August 2, 2017 8:30 pm

    Thanks Sean – I shared this with someone very special to me that’s going thru a difficult time, and she’s ‘Always On My Mind’.
    “Just living is not enough,” said the butterfly. “One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” – Author Unknown

    Reply
  45. Patsy - August 2, 2017 8:39 pm

    Thank you. A day is always better because of your writings!

    Reply
  46. Janet Mary Lee - August 2, 2017 9:07 pm

    Amen!! Again!!! Happy Dance!!!! 🙂

    Reply
  47. Bill Wilhelm - August 2, 2017 10:00 pm

    Is it not said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery? I post your dailies on my Facebook page. And I add my own note to it. Usually, I can easily think of something that applies from my 71 + years of memories.That’s a great exercise as well, even if some of those memories were sad or bad during a period of my life. I can then say that I’m happy to have escaped or made amends or learned a lesson or just glad to have made it through. You are a classic and one of the very best. From a red-haired admirer.

    Reply
  48. Pamela McEachern - August 2, 2017 10:07 pm

    My Uncle Charles was such a smart man. He once told me we have a choice to have a good day and we just have to focus on our attitude to determine that it is one. Some days are more challenging but I am always going to hold myself to this determination. Have a Good Day Y’all

    Reply
  49. Lynda Gayle Knight - August 2, 2017 10:44 pm

    Well, you’ve knocked another one out of the park. I did have a good day and I have a lot of that gray you talk about. Yes, I’m a retired English teacher who dares to end a sentence with a preposition and who is daring to work on her autobiography and mostly tell it like it was for my children, grandchildren and great-grand to know and understand who I really was and to remember some things I feel are really important in life. Former students would really love it! Hope they enjoy reading about me the way I enjoy learning about my friend Sean!

    Reply
  50. Gail Stewart - August 3, 2017 2:17 am

    My day was good after I read your column! Thank you!

    Reply
  51. Sandra - August 3, 2017 2:26 am

    Thank you. I had a great morning to mid afternoon with the love of my life. I spent almost four hours of late afternoon with a friend I used to work with. A very good day!

    Reply
  52. Ashley - August 3, 2017 3:01 am

    That was what I needed today. Thank you. Have a great night!

    Reply
  53. Jack Quanstrum - August 3, 2017 3:19 am

    Best I have read yet. Truly a story of Wonderment!

    Reply
  54. Ann Smalley - August 3, 2017 4:41 am

    Friend of Kandi from Texas. Your thoughts today were perfect. My husband had his 77th birthday today. We ate Tex Mex for dinner tonight with high school friends, laughed and reminisced. I actually laughed until my jaws hurt. Not just a good day, but a great day! We were high school sweethearts and been married 57 years. Celebrated our anniversary on a cruise to Havana. 99% of our days are good. Can’t beat that. Hope you had a wonderful day, too!?

    Reply
    • Chuck Scarborough - August 5, 2017 11:40 pm

      Congratulations on 57 years with the one you truly love. I pray for the day when long marriages are once again the norm.

      Reply
  55. Brenda Elliott - August 3, 2017 12:04 pm

    Beautifully written…as always. You give life to words.

    Reply
  56. Melodie - August 3, 2017 2:13 pm

    WOW! Thank you! I feel my heart swelling. You just made my day, and I will pay it forward. A good lesson for all.

    Reply
  57. Tammy Walker - August 4, 2017 4:13 am

    Gorgeous.

    Reply
  58. LEB - August 4, 2017 10:37 pm

    You are an amazing gift to all of us. Thank you for focusing some of your magical, bright, beautiful energy on all of us so we can, in turn, pay it forward to others. This was exactly what I needed today. Thank you!

    Reply
  59. Lucretia - August 5, 2017 1:24 pm

    . . .and that has made all the difference. . .Thank you, Sean.

    Reply
  60. Cathy W - August 12, 2017 8:22 pm

    Thank you, Sean. And in the words of our friend, Angelique, who serves up unbeatable fried chicken at our favorite meat and two : ” Have a blessed and wonderful day”.

    Reply
  61. Judy - September 17, 2017 10:43 am

    I hope you have a really good day, also! Mine is off to a great start. Thank you!

    Reply
  62. Linda Bailey - September 17, 2017 4:31 pm

    We had my Great Granddaughter’s 4th birthday party yesterday. She is truly an Angel on this Earth. My hair is white as snow. She rubs my hair and tells me that God painted it.

    Reply
  63. unkle - September 17, 2017 4:43 pm

    I sit in the same living room where me and Grandpa would sit and play checkers. You know sometimes he would even let me win! He was crafty and loved to set up a tripple jump just because. In the 15 years I knew him he raised his voice at me 3 times. Then he apologized each time.March of 75 he passed to that great weedless garden up yonder. I oan his house now and now I am grandpaw! He called me son . I just called him grandpa.

    Reply
  64. Pam Ramos - September 17, 2017 5:37 pm

    Thank you for the kind ,loving words ! I hope your day, and every day, is as special as you are ! You bring a smile to me every day ! I now live in Texas but I sure miss LA( Lower Alabama ) .

    Reply
  65. anita fowler - September 18, 2017 3:47 am

    This one is exceptional. Hope you have a good week.

    Reply
  66. unkle - May 20, 2018 5:24 pm

    I love to read your articles again . Time has passed , much has happened . I feel like I have almost met you a time or three . Here we sit in my Grandpa’s old house on the eve of my 10 year old grandsons birthday . Today we plan to break bread or maby bread sticks with his Grandparents and Great Grandparents. I would like to say that I could take him in a game of checkers but the truth be told this kid plays CHESS. Henry thanked me for the hashbrown and egg breakfast i cooked him this morning . Yes it looks like a good day has started and is gona involve cake and singing . Timing is everything in life, yours truly works for me. I hope you have a great day , that Thelma Lou does not eat Jamie’s best pair of shoes . That you get some puppy bites , and puppy kisses too. That we remember Augest 2 ,2017 and the way thangs were then and look forward to the days ahead of us . Sometimes hindsight is the closest thing to foresight.Yall take care . Uk

    Reply

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