Good

Earlier, I spoke to a parent who remarked: “This has been the hardest time of our lives. I wish I could take it from my son, I wish it was me who had cancer, but it feels good to see him happy today.”

Pensacola, Florida—a bunch of children played kickball against the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department.

These kids are undergoing cancer treatment, but it hasn’t affected their spirit.

A little boy steps to the plate and kicks a rubber ball with every ounce of leg muscle he has. The crowd goes wild. His mom goes wild. I go wild.

Earlier, I spoke to a parent who remarked: “This has been the hardest time of our lives. I wish I could take it from my son, I wish it was me who had cancer, but it feels good to see him happy today.”

Today is a good day. And it was a good game. The score was close.

The Sheriff’s department only lost by 39,000 points.

Huntsville, Alabama—Aria was 26. A hardworking mother trying to earn her GED. She had a full-time job to tie down, two kids, and suppers don’t make themselves.

Her homework load was overwhelming. Solving for “X” wasn’t exactly a priority.

She posted a request for help online. A college professor in West Virginia answered her. He volunteered to help.

He tutored her over the phone. Sometimes, they would stay on the phone for three hours at a time. Their friendship took off.

The weekend before her test, he bought a plane ticket. He met her at a coffee shop with flowers.

They spent two days prepping for her exam. She passed; he took her out to dinner. Today, she’s working on her bachelor’s degree.

They have two kids together.

Spartanburg, South Carolina—a man stopped four lanes of traffic to save a dog. Traffic backed up for a quarter mile.

He squatted onto his heels and spoke in a soft voice. Cars lined up, stretching toward the horizon.

The dog finally came.

He used his belt for a leash. The dog was old. No tags. He lifted the dog into his car. He named the old dog “Earl.”

He let Earl sleep beside his bed until the end.

Macon, Georgia—she was eighty-four, in poor health, and stuck in a nursing home. She dipped snuff.

A workman visited her room one day. He was there to install cable television. They talked. They made friends.

She complained a little.

“I’m out of snuff,” she said. “They won’t let me go to the store and buy none, ‘cause it’s a bad habit.”

He visited her again the next day. He brought a shopping bag with enough snuff to last until the Second Coming.

He visited her the day after, too. And the day after. Soon, he was stopping in almost every day after work.

He sang “Amazing Grace” at her graveside service.

Anyway, right now I am in a busy hotel lobby. There are several businessmen sitting around me—laptops on knees.

There’s a television blaring. A news anchor on the screen speaks in a tone laced with enough anxiety to spike your blood pressure.

The images on TV are terrifying. Explosions, shootings, stabbings, robberies, Ryan Seacrest.

But something’s wrong.

I didn’t see any stories about folks adopting foster children. No stories about recovering alcoholics who help others get sober.

I must’ve missed the news report on the ninety-nine-year-old minister who worked in a country church until he died.

No stories about men saving elderly dogs from interstates. No mention of teachers, nurses, single mothers, single fathers, firemen, math tutors, or cable guys with big hearts.

And I suppose there weren’t many journalists who felt like covering a kickball game between sick children and deputies who care about them. Some journalists have more important things to be doing, I guess.

It’s too bad.

Because these kids are the most important things I’ve ever seen.

41 comments

  1. Beth Reed - March 21, 2018 6:30 am

    Your stories are such an inspiration to me. Thank you for the time you devote to keep my heart full, my spirit overflowing with love and my soul young.
    Keep writing because every post has an impact on someone else, it gives me food for thought and in some way it makes me want to try harder to be a better person.
    Thank you Sean.

    Reply
    • Chris McAllister - May 31, 2018 1:07 pm

      Ditto❤️

      Reply
  2. Victoria - March 21, 2018 9:46 am

    This…

    Reply
  3. candyalso - March 21, 2018 10:33 am

    Thank you Sean for another day of GOOD NEWS! I begin every day with you and it really does take the edge off of all of that other news. I have always thought we needed a Good News Channel and it appears we have one, it’s called Sean of the South! Thank you again.

    Reply
  4. Susie - March 21, 2018 10:35 am

    Thank You for the good stuff?. So encouraging to read and start my day.

    Reply
  5. Sherry - March 21, 2018 10:38 am

    Those are the most important things that happen everyday…and tv always misses them! Thank you,Sean!

    Reply
  6. Nancy Rogers - March 21, 2018 10:45 am

    They most certainly are.

    Reply
  7. Ronnie - March 21, 2018 10:56 am

    If you decide to be a news anchor, you are the channel I will watch. We need someone to tell the good news! Love your stories!

    Reply
  8. Jan - March 21, 2018 11:15 am

    Amen!

    Reply
  9. Jo Ann - March 21, 2018 11:48 am

    You’re a breath of fresh air every day, Sean. Thank you.

    Reply
  10. Anna - March 21, 2018 11:54 am

    Thank you!

    Reply
  11. Pam - March 21, 2018 11:54 am

    Best thing about be read all morning – excellent!

    Reply
  12. Ginger McPherson - March 21, 2018 12:00 pm

    I love reading your posts. When you mentioned foster parents I thought you might want to talk to my friends, Robin and Ryan English, who live in Atlanta. They have two of their own and three foster children all under the age of 7. They amaze me and I know that God has given them the hearts to do this kind of parenting. So many bad things happen it’s nice to hear some Good News.

    Reply
  13. Connie - March 21, 2018 12:55 pm

    You hit the nail on the head…and that’s why I whatch very little news. Your topics are real, thank you!

    Reply
  14. Arlene - March 21, 2018 1:11 pm

    Thank you for bringing life to my mornings. You never stop believing and because if you neither will we. You are my daily inspiration. Please don’t ever stop. Most of us do not say thank you to you, but all of us are so very thankful for you. Take care and keep writing.

    Reply
    • Dorothy - March 21, 2018 2:31 pm

      AMEN

      Reply
  15. Nela - March 21, 2018 1:12 pm

    Thank you, Sean, for writing about all the kind and caring serpents of God who help and support all of us. Yes the children playing kickball are the most important.

    Reply
  16. Patricia Schmaltz - March 21, 2018 1:14 pm

    YOU are the light in my inbox every morning. I know there is wonder and good out there and you bring it to me and make me want to go make some myself. Thank you. HUGS!

    Reply
  17. Rita Loveday - March 21, 2018 1:17 pm

    Thank you for showing me all the possibilities that I can do each day to make a difference in the lives of some one else. It IS true, the “news” is often horrible–showing in glaring reality the seedier side of humanity. So, I read your observational report each and every day to remind myself who I want to be and what I am here to do. Thank you….

    Reply
  18. Virginia Hamlin - March 21, 2018 1:44 pm

    I’m still laughing until I cry about the Ryan Secrest comment. You slipped that one up on us.
    BTW, I agree completely about tv news

    Reply
  19. Karen Miles-Miller - March 21, 2018 2:18 pm

    My husband has sent me several of your writings! I love it, thanks! It’s witty, fun & happy; it’s what the world needs now!

    Reply
  20. Barbara McGinnis - March 21, 2018 2:18 pm

    You may not believe this, but you are an important counter-balance to a rough old world. And you make a difference—in my life, anyway.

    Reply
  21. Jack Darnell - March 21, 2018 2:20 pm

    It took me a half hour on my slow cell system, but I finally did get this sent to two news agencies and the Whitehouse. No kidding. I thought it was worth a shot, surely someone wants to hear and read something good. I would love to hear you tell a tale on national news.

    Reply
    • Reisha Holton - March 21, 2018 3:08 pm

      That would be amazing. Sean seated next to Anderson Cooper (who’s voice isn’t “laced with anxiety” – was that that great Line?) Just you and Anderson sharing some tales! I like that image!

      Reply
  22. Jo - March 21, 2018 2:28 pm

    Thank you for the wonderful stories of people who care, love, guide, and inspire. In the midst of all the strife and hateful speech in the world today, your words are something we need desperately. I certainly do. Thank you.

    Reply
  23. Connie Jones - March 21, 2018 2:36 pm

    Sean, your words are an inspiration to me each day when I read your email…it reminds me that there is still so much good in this crazy, bad news everyday world of ours. Your observations of others is just spiritual to me….keep on, keeping on.

    Reply
  24. Carol Houston Rothwell - March 21, 2018 3:01 pm

    There’s one anchor man ,he’s on CBS,Jeff Glor..
    I’m not for the news anymore..But this man,speaks in the softest tone,doesn’t seem to judge,or drag it all out and preach dooms day..
    And always ends on a beautiful note of hope and love stories,like you ,that give me Hope for our future and the next generation.
    Give him a look Sean…if you like..let me know..
    And some other’s, we don’t have many men like you and him left!
    I’m Carol,petepar63050@aol.com
    Love ya.?!

    Reply
  25. Edna B. - March 21, 2018 3:13 pm

    This is why I don’t watch the news very often. It’s good to hear about the children, the mother, the elderly lady and the folks who help them. I do what I can every chance I get. Thanks for another awesome story. You have a super day, hugs, Edna B.

    Reply
  26. Pat - March 21, 2018 3:21 pm

    Unfortunately in the journalism world if it bleeds it leads…………..but I am reminded of a kind act between a father and his daughter. He was taking chemo for his cancer. His adult daughter came home to visit and went to church with her parents. The congregation was asked to stand for a hymn and we all did except her dad. When she realized that he wasn’t standing she simply sat back down beside him! That one act for some reason spoke volumes to me…I still get teary eyed and it’s been quite a few years since that happened.

    Reply
  27. Dianne - March 21, 2018 4:50 pm

    Thank you for bringing us “good news” stories. We all get so tired of the mainstream media stories that show the ugliness of man. You continue to show the goodness of man!

    Reply
  28. Beau - March 21, 2018 5:09 pm

    Thankyou Sean for reminding us of the important things in life!

    Reply
  29. Philip - March 21, 2018 5:23 pm

    Great statement if that is not the truth Jesus does not remember each star!

    Reply
  30. Barbara Schweck - March 21, 2018 6:20 pm

    You said it all in this one!!! I put news reporters right up there with politicians. Thanks for always reminding us of the good in people and the good, hardworking people. Love you, Sean

    Reply
  31. Betty - March 21, 2018 7:18 pm

    Thank you

    Reply
  32. Judo - March 21, 2018 8:05 pm

    There you go again Sean. Just warming my heart! You’re right! Not enough good news! How do people exist?

    Reply
  33. Marilyn Jordan - March 21, 2018 9:29 pm

    Thanks for bringing us good news every day when we are bombarded with bad news all day and all night. God bless you.

    Reply
  34. Linda Allen - March 21, 2018 9:45 pm

    ❤️❤️ Wonderful news, as usual! Thank you kind sir!

    Reply
  35. Linda (Outlaw - March 22, 2018 3:19 am

    A Special Idea from a lover of ideals

    Reply
  36. Kathy - March 22, 2018 9:00 pm

    Thank you for the reminders of what is important! We all get so caught up in our busyness until we cannot see God’s wonders! I appreciate you!

    May God Bless you Richly!

    Reply
  37. Anne Godwin - March 24, 2018 3:51 am

    I used to watch the 5, 6 and 10 pm news. About ten years ago, I realized it was mostly bad news. So I quit watching. I’m amazed at your ability to learn so much about people. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for writing. Have you seen the movie, I Can Only Imagine? The story behind the movie is powerful. As are the stories behind your stories about people. Thanks again.

    Reply
  38. Linda Chipman - March 27, 2018 5:40 pm

    As long as you are writing about these people the world will know. I will share this one with my friends on Facebook.

    Reply

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