My phone rang. Unknown number. I answered and expected to hear a robo-recording about important information regarding my automotive warranty. But it was a young man who I am going to call Bobby.
“Hello, is this Sean?”
“Yes.”
Bobby had a story he wanted to share, and apparently I was the guy he was going to share it with. He was adamant about this.
“Do you have a pen?” were his first words.
“How’d you get this number?” I said.
“Your wife gave it to me.”
“Ah.”
“I’m on my lunch break,” Bobby went on. “I’m kinda in a hurry. I don’t have long. You’re gonna wanna take notes. I got a lotta cool stuff to tell you.”
Only, it bears mentioning, Bobby never actually used the word “stuff.” Bobby prefers another famous word beginning with the letter S. This word, I quickly learned, is one of Bobby’s favorite expletives. But since this is a family column, I will use “stuff.”
In the background I could I hear factory sounds and industrial noises. “Where are you?” I asked. “I can hardly hear you.”
“I work at a mill.”
I got my pen ready. “Go ahead,” I said.
Bobby said he was coming home late from work one night six years ago. He was speeding when a vehicle pulled in front of him on the wet pavement.
He slammed his brakes. He fishtailed on the rural highway. He doesn’t totally remember what happened, but he remembers the sound of the tires screaming.
He was thrown from the car, then pinned against a tree by the same vehicle he was driving. The odds of this happening are almost five trillion to one. Even the emergency workers couldn’t explain how this had occurred.
“It was some really whacked out stuff, man.”
Bobby was alone in the middle of the woods, trapped against a tree by his own bumper. And did I mention he was all alone?
“No cars passed by,” he said. “Nobody was around for miles. I was like, ‘Man. I’m dying.’”
Then it happened. He can’t explain it, but he tried.
The most giddy feeling he had ever known washed over him. He described this as the same pleasant feeling he used to get when his mother would pour warm water over him when she gave him a bath as an infant.
Which means that Bobby has an impressive memory, being able to remember his infancy. I do not even recall what I ate for supper last night.
“I closed my eyes, man, and I woke up in this new place, and it was just like Earth, only it was brighter, and full of joy and all that stuff.”
I made a note.
“Where was this place?” I asked.
“Stuff, man, I don’t know. But then along comes this guy, walking up to me, and he says my name. He’s young, and nice-looking, and I was like, ‘Yeah, what do you want?’
“He was like, ‘Listen, Bobby, I’m here to help you.’ And that’s when I realized it was my dad. My dad’s been dead for a long time. I was five when he died.”
“What else did your dad say?”
“He said, ‘Bobby, I’m gonna be here with you, the whole way. You’re gonna be alright, son. It’s gonna be hard, but I’m gonna be with you. And it’s all gonna work out.’”
I made another note, but I said nothing. I’ve learned throughout the years when interviewing people about supernatural events, you don’t ask too many questions inasmuch as you can never tell where these stories will go.
Such stories have to be told naturally because trying to figure out a miraculous event is like trying to draw a self-portrait with a white crayon between your toes.
“And then I woke up,” said Bobby. “I saw all these red lights around me and stuff. They were cutting open my car with big old saws and prying me free from where I was. But they said I was smiling the whole time. Nobody could understand it. How I could be smiling?”
“Why were you smiling?”
“Because I know what comes next now. I ain’t scared no more. God’s got this. The EMTs, they asked if I was in pain, and I was like, ‘Stuff, no.’ I wasn’t. I felt really good actually. I felt at peace and stuff.”
The physical therapy took a long time. And even after these years he still has problems walking. The trauma was even worse, it’s still with him. Sometimes he can’t sleep when he starts to remember that horrible night.
But throughout it all, he never forgot the image of his dad. And he could never unsee that world of unspeakable light.
Before we parted ways, I asked why he wanted to tell this story to me.
“So that you can tell people that we’re not alone, man. There’s something out there, something that loves us, something watching over us, don’t matter who you are, or what you done, it loves you, and it don’t judge you. I’m talking about God, man. It’s real man. It’s all totally real.”
“You think so?” I asked. “You think it’s all real?”
“I stuff you not,” he said.
34 comments
Wendy - January 7, 2022 8:40 am
Love this stuff man!! 😉
Wendy - January 7, 2022 8:40 am
Love your stuff man! 😉
Wendy - January 7, 2022 8:42 am
Love this stuff! 😉
Wendy - January 7, 2022 8:42 am
Love this stuff! 😉
Steve Winfield (Lifer) - January 7, 2022 11:22 am
One thing’s for sure.
Wendy loves it.
Paul McCutchen - January 7, 2022 12:02 pm
Interesting stuff man. From my own experience, I believe him.
Jan - January 7, 2022 1:06 pm
Great story! I Believe!
Sonya Tuttle - January 7, 2022 1:24 pm
I believe!!!
Dianne - January 7, 2022 1:32 pm
I believe this young man’s story. Thank you for sharing.
Rhonda - January 7, 2022 2:15 pm
Sean, you are soooooo doing God’s work! You were kind enough to take the time to listen to Bobby. Not only that but by putting the effort into writing it, you gave him a chance to share his experience with us all!! It is a very Special story!!! It certainly needs to be told! Thanks!!!
Shirley - January 12, 2022 8:01 pm
Amen Rhonda!
Susan from Wausau - January 7, 2022 2:18 pm
I’m so happy to have read this. Very timely, because I’m going through some rather serious medical treatment right now. I know what the young man told you is true, but every confirmation adds to one’s faith. Thank you for all you share.
Shelton A. - January 7, 2022 3:01 pm
I trust in God’s promises to us. Bobby’s story just reaffirms what I believe and trust in, I stuff you not. God bless you and Jamie and His blessings and peace to all.
Diane Ivy - January 7, 2022 3:27 pm
In your story of the man stopping to rescue an injured dog in the highway median you mentioned the man saved the dog and drove away. Not wanting the dog to just die there the man turned around to go get him. You wrote the man did a fast 360° turn. That actually would have been a 180° turn. A 360° is a circle. Oh well, great story. My husband and I love all your emails. Don’t ever stop writing your stories..
Faithful fans, Dale snd Diane Ivy.
Ken M. - January 7, 2022 4:28 pm
AWE-Some Stuff!!
Suellen - January 7, 2022 4:33 pm
When I was 6 years old my family was involved in a horrendous car accident while we were on vacation. A young man fell asleep at the wheel and hit us from behind. His speedometer was pegged out at 120 mph and our car flipped end over end. My Mom and I were the most seriously injured. Me with a concussion and she with serious head injuries. She was in a coma for a couple of weeks. She didn’t tell her story for years because she thought people would think she was crazy. But one night in Bible Study she told the group what happened to her. One day she was drifting towards a white light. It was the most beautiful place she’d ever seen. No more pain. She saw Jesus and she was so happy. But she said Jesus told her that it wasn’t her time to come. She had 4 children to raise. At that time she felt a gigantic push and she fought it because she didn’t want to leave that place. Down she went through a dark tunnel and she could feel the pain again and then she opened her eyes. I was in an ICU bed next to her when she woke up.
BEX - January 7, 2022 4:48 pm
Sean, you have a way of telling stories that hook people from the first paragraph and we want to keep reading until the end! You stories are good ‘stuff!’ You are an amazing writer! No ‘stuff!’ ❤️🙏🏻
J Blackburn - January 7, 2022 4:49 pm
I totally believe! There is Heaven for believers! He’s not stuffing you!
Patricia Schmaltz - January 7, 2022 4:55 pm
I totally believe it too. Thanks for the reminder, Sean…
Gordon - January 7, 2022 5:01 pm
Such a wonderful story; a wonderful reminder. Thanks for sharing Sean.
Robyn - January 7, 2022 5:02 pm
I ❤️ U Sean. And Jamie for sharing your #!
Anne Arthur - January 7, 2022 5:05 pm
I just wanted to write “I love this stuff, man” and now see that a trillion people wrote it too.
Thanks for sharing, Bobby and Sean.
Stacey Wallace - January 7, 2022 6:09 pm
God is DEFINITELY for real. Thanks, Sean.
Chasity Davis Ritter - January 7, 2022 6:38 pm
Of course I’m sharing this! It’s some good stuff. Always want to hear about the Good Stuff!
MAM - January 7, 2022 9:41 pm
I love the way you use the word “stuff.” Only an excellent writer of your caliber can get away with it. You always entertain and remind us of the important things in life. Thanks, Sean. No stuff!
Sean of the South: Good Stuff | The Trussville Tribune - January 7, 2022 10:23 pm
[…] By Sean Dietrich, Sean of the South […]
Linda Moon - January 7, 2022 10:50 pm
Sometimes the other “S” word just works. Not often…just occasionally. Three of my favorite “S” words are right here: “Stories” from “Sean” of the “South”! But the “Something” that loves us is the best Word of all.
Karen Snyder - January 7, 2022 11:20 pm
❤️ this stuff!
Jen - January 8, 2022 12:12 am
I lost my dad suddenly a few months ago and this was so special to read this morning. Thank you.
didyouseethis - January 8, 2022 12:29 am
Thank You. <3
suzi - January 8, 2022 3:32 pm
I know this is true
Peace, hope, serenity have been added to my day by you and Bobby
stephenpe - January 12, 2022 2:26 pm
I think I laughed more with this one than any other, Sean. Thanks. Reminded me of a quote this guy has on his forum posts.
Mrs. Rogers: “John Bernard, you swear too much.”
J.B. Books: “The Hell I do!”
CHARALEEN WRIGHT - January 12, 2022 3:57 pm
❤
DiAn - January 19, 2022 2:05 pm
THANK YOU, Sean, for writing this and for sharing it! I know I, just one of what I believe are hundreds of fans (if not thousands) must have Needed to see this today! So thank you & please keep on writing. We need to have your perspective & some good news Every Day!