A Day in Rogers, Arkansas
My plane hovered over Fayetteville, Arkansas, preparing for landing. The elderly lady in the seat next to me was gripping the armrest. She had been using aggressive armrest etiquette throughout our flight.
Sean Dietrich
Questions From Readers
I want you to know, from the bottom of my heart, I read every email, letter and message I receive. Many of these messages are questions. So I’ve compiled the most common questions in a letter
Ten O’clock on Sunday Morning
At 10 o’clock a.m. on Sunday, I am going to be praying. You will find me on my knees. Praying for them. Ten o’clock. Because of 10 victims. Ten precious souls. Ten battered children, and probably more.
A Mom in the Park
She was a youngish mother. Her son was maybe 10. They had the whole playground to themselves. She wheeled his chair along the rubbery mat, and they were playing make-believe.
Falling Trees
They cut down the old oak tree today. It was an enormous tree. One of the biggest I’ve ever seen. I was on my walking route when I heard the chainsaws running. I stood by the curb and watched the young worker crawl up the trunk and take it down from top to bottom.
A Little Bit of Sole
It was a big park. A big city. The man was sitting on the sidewalk. Directly on the ground. And he was barefoot.
The Big Meeting
The angels all got together. The chairman angel banged his gavel on the bench. The community center gymnasium was noisy with angel voices. There must have been billions of them.
The Fishermen
There were two men who went fishing. The first man was old. He moved a little slower on account of his arthritis, his bad hip, and his recent hurt knee. The second man wasn’t even really a “man” at all, technically. He was a boy. The young man was brimming with energy, skipping ahead, swinging his tackle box.
Last Night at the Opry
I arrive at the Opry House a few minutes before rehearsal. My guitar and fiddle cases trip the metal detector, so the security guard makes me open them.
Saturday Night on the Radio
I don’t know if they have radios in heaven. But I hope they do. I hope the angels find one tomorrow night (Saturday). I hope they tune this radio to 650 AM WSM, Nashville. I hope you listen to the Grand Ole Opry. Start to finish.
The Persistent Caller
Ring, ring.
I answered the phone. “Hello?” I said, disguising my voice.
“Is this Sean Dietrich?” said the little girl’s on the phone. So grown-up sounding. She gets a little bigger every day.
What Do You Know, Joe?
When Joe turned 18, he was going to join the military like his dad, the officer, wanted. But there is a well known saying in the military, “You can’t make chicken salad out of chicken excrement.” We are who we are.
I Have No Fight Left
Dear Sean, I’m useless. It seems like the world just doesn’t want me here anymore. What happens if I give up and send myself same-day shipping to God? Would it truly be a loss?
There’s no more fight in me.
Things I Love
A tomato is a magical thing. A love story in nutritional form. A tomato connects you with real life in a way nothing else can.
“I Don’t Believe in Prayer”
The letter was short. “Dear Sean, do you believe prayer works? I don’t. Please pray I survive my surgery today.” Signed, Anonymous.
Ode to a Sunrise
Oh, to view a sunrise. To see that huge ball of brilliant orange light, peeking above the trees, reflecting on the mirrored lake. The orchestra of colors in the sky, as the morning sun lights the clouds from beneath, transforming them into the pink and gold frosting on the Birthday Cake of Life.
Weird Al
The boy didn’t have a lot going for him. At least, that’s what his parents thought. His parents were concerned. The other children would not stop laughing at their son. The other kids had turned him into a joke.
Watching Over You
You don’t know me, but I’ve been watching you since you were a baby. I’ve been here beside you. You could call me your guardian angel, I guess. But we don’t really call ourselves anything.
Last Stop
They stand behind caged doors. They look at you when you walk by. They howl like their lives depend on it. Because, you see, that’s just what they do.
Who Do You Think You Are?
Who do I think I am? My life begins at age 11. That’s when my father took his own life. He killed himself probably because he was going to prison.