‘I wish I could make this world a better place.’ You remind us to go about our days, engaging with people, really listening to their story with compassion. Your column is like VBS, encouragement is preached. Sometimes all people want is to know they’re seen and appreciated.
‘Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.’ Deuteronomy 31:6
Dolores, my dad would always say the same thing, about wishing he could make the world a better place. He did what he could for others and he was generous to a fault. Bless his heart. In his last few months he was treated for depression, a lot of heart patients go through that, and he looked at my mom one day with tears in his eyes and said, I need help. I know my dad; that was hard for him to do. He was from that stoic generation, doncha know. Well, she got him to a psychiatrist and when the doctor came in the room, he saw Dad looking at his credentials on the wall and said, Well, Jack, what do you think? and my dad said, Well, anybody who graduated from the University of Michigan can't be all bad. (since that's where Dad got HIS master's degree. Needless to say, they hit it off. Later, when getting down to business, the shrink asked Dad what he thought his main problem was, and dad, after pondering that question for a minute, said, I can't fix the world. 😫😪. After some talk therapy, the doc said he wanted to put him on the antidepressant, Prozac. My dad said, tongue-in-cheek, But wait, Doc, isn't that what that guy in Colorado was on when he chain-sawed his family?! Doc look at him and said, could be, Jack, how many chainsaws have you got in the back of that truck out there? the doctor asked Dad, as he was looking out the window to the parking lot. Without the hint of a smile, and a bland look on his face, dad answered him, 5. (And it was true! 😂. He carried one for every size job on the farm! Lol.) Long story short, (too late), he got the help he needed and became a happier person.
You really do make the world a better place, Sean! I have 95% of the time tried to find the good in everyone, listen to their stories, and maybe share mine. But, in the last three years, I have tried to be even nicer... like letting that car that needs out of a side street into the front of me with a wave of my hand. Small things make us feel better, and we start someone else thinking about being nice. Thanks for what you do.
I was in a CB in Ohio about 7 years ago. I was a high ranking manager in a manufacturing company and I was eating by myself. I had finished dinner and was fumbling around with my wallet to get some tip money so I could leave it at the table instead of putting it on my card. I sat for a while and drank the last of my coffee and asked for the bill . My waiter said no bill, it has been paid. I said no, but she explained that 2 to 3 times a week a group of guys will come in and spread out in the CB and pay for people's meals, they thought you needed it. I am retired now and whenever I see there might be a need at a restaurant or store I do the same. It was an event that really touched me.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “What the world needs now is more Sean Dietrich.” You are changing the world, Sean, one hug at a time, one column, one book, and one more beloved dog story. I don’t know if there is such a thing as a good pandemic, but if there is, I hope everyone who has ever been hugged by you would make a concerted (determined) effort to hug as many people as they can, every day. I think a good pandemic may result! Thank you for giving of yourself so generously. And by you, I mean you and Jamie.
You make this world a better place for all of us. Some day, I hope and pray I can tell you in person what one of my favorite country singers, Ronnie Milsap, sang......🎶🎵”What a difference you’ve made in my life.......”🎵🎶. ♥️
Yes, Judy, Sean makes a big difference in a lot of people's lives everyday. He gives me chuckles AND great gut laughs every morning, along with tears. My day is definitely better because of Sean. He also inspires me to make others' days better, even if it's just a compliment. I have had more people tell me, you just made my day, after I would give them a compliment. I have also had people make my day in the same way. It's the smallest kindness and yet it can give a person such a lift!! We all need that.
Hurray for CB! It’s one of the few eating places I go to where I don’t feel lonely eating by myself. Homey…..down home cooking…..and a good spirit of people….VBS- in my childhood, it was something to do in the summer! Wonderful teachers planned fun activities, we continued to be led spiritually by the Bible and we learned the pledge to the Christian flag. I chuckle when I think about “fighting” over wanting to have one of the parts to lead the processional down the aisle….would it be the Bible carrier or one of the flag holders.
A wonderful panacea is what your writing is for me…..therapy like Lucy is to the Peanuts Gang when her sign reads “In”…..thanks Sean for your personal style of reflections and stories. And on the sad ones….they become part of my prayers. God bless!
Cracker Barrel... my first time there was about 25 years ago and cost me over $150 because of the “gift shop”. My mother only wore Cracker Barrel’s shirts, it was her favorite store.
Life is like Checkers, you cannot jump backwards, but you can do everything possible to win what lays ahead. That's what you are doing, Sean. Life is better because you play in it.
Cracker Barrel is one of my favorite places for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Have eaten Thanksgiving lunch there also. Sean if you and Jaime are in Foley, Al., give Lamberts a try. Their "throwed rolls", literally they will throw you a roll across the room, are so delicious. Fried, well anything fried, chicken livers and gizzards are so good. Thx for all you do to make our days!!!!
I work sales in retail. My coworkers and I joke that we are like bartenders. We get to hear stories from our customers. Some people vent. Most people want to get our advice. But being a family- owned business with a staff that’s been steady for years, I think many of our customers enjoy the community and routineness of the store.
‘I wish I could make this world a better place.’ You remind us to go about our days, engaging with people, really listening to their story with compassion. Your column is like VBS, encouragement is preached. Sometimes all people want is to know they’re seen and appreciated.
‘Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.’ Deuteronomy 31:6
Dolores, my dad would always say the same thing, about wishing he could make the world a better place. He did what he could for others and he was generous to a fault. Bless his heart. In his last few months he was treated for depression, a lot of heart patients go through that, and he looked at my mom one day with tears in his eyes and said, I need help. I know my dad; that was hard for him to do. He was from that stoic generation, doncha know. Well, she got him to a psychiatrist and when the doctor came in the room, he saw Dad looking at his credentials on the wall and said, Well, Jack, what do you think? and my dad said, Well, anybody who graduated from the University of Michigan can't be all bad. (since that's where Dad got HIS master's degree. Needless to say, they hit it off. Later, when getting down to business, the shrink asked Dad what he thought his main problem was, and dad, after pondering that question for a minute, said, I can't fix the world. 😫😪. After some talk therapy, the doc said he wanted to put him on the antidepressant, Prozac. My dad said, tongue-in-cheek, But wait, Doc, isn't that what that guy in Colorado was on when he chain-sawed his family?! Doc look at him and said, could be, Jack, how many chainsaws have you got in the back of that truck out there? the doctor asked Dad, as he was looking out the window to the parking lot. Without the hint of a smile, and a bland look on his face, dad answered him, 5. (And it was true! 😂. He carried one for every size job on the farm! Lol.) Long story short, (too late), he got the help he needed and became a happier person.
Loved your story!
You positively DO make the world a better place
You make the world a better place with your writing!! I love it! Thank you!!!!
You really do make the world a better place, Sean! I have 95% of the time tried to find the good in everyone, listen to their stories, and maybe share mine. But, in the last three years, I have tried to be even nicer... like letting that car that needs out of a side street into the front of me with a wave of my hand. Small things make us feel better, and we start someone else thinking about being nice. Thanks for what you do.
Me, too, Marsha! Feels good, doesn't it!! 🤗👍. Yesssss
I was in a CB in Ohio about 7 years ago. I was a high ranking manager in a manufacturing company and I was eating by myself. I had finished dinner and was fumbling around with my wallet to get some tip money so I could leave it at the table instead of putting it on my card. I sat for a while and drank the last of my coffee and asked for the bill . My waiter said no bill, it has been paid. I said no, but she explained that 2 to 3 times a week a group of guys will come in and spread out in the CB and pay for people's meals, they thought you needed it. I am retired now and whenever I see there might be a need at a restaurant or store I do the same. It was an event that really touched me.
“I have been an inmate & warden.” God bless VBS. 😂❤️
You make our hearts hurt! I love the way you really see people.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “What the world needs now is more Sean Dietrich.” You are changing the world, Sean, one hug at a time, one column, one book, and one more beloved dog story. I don’t know if there is such a thing as a good pandemic, but if there is, I hope everyone who has ever been hugged by you would make a concerted (determined) effort to hug as many people as they can, every day. I think a good pandemic may result! Thank you for giving of yourself so generously. And by you, I mean you and Jamie.
Dear Sean,
You make this world a better place for all of us. Some day, I hope and pray I can tell you in person what one of my favorite country singers, Ronnie Milsap, sang......🎶🎵”What a difference you’ve made in my life.......”🎵🎶. ♥️
Yes, Judy, Sean makes a big difference in a lot of people's lives everyday. He gives me chuckles AND great gut laughs every morning, along with tears. My day is definitely better because of Sean. He also inspires me to make others' days better, even if it's just a compliment. I have had more people tell me, you just made my day, after I would give them a compliment. I have also had people make my day in the same way. It's the smallest kindness and yet it can give a person such a lift!! We all need that.
I agree.
Sean, you make more of a difference in this world than you know! YKIYK! 💓
Hurray for CB! It’s one of the few eating places I go to where I don’t feel lonely eating by myself. Homey…..down home cooking…..and a good spirit of people….VBS- in my childhood, it was something to do in the summer! Wonderful teachers planned fun activities, we continued to be led spiritually by the Bible and we learned the pledge to the Christian flag. I chuckle when I think about “fighting” over wanting to have one of the parts to lead the processional down the aisle….would it be the Bible carrier or one of the flag holders.
A wonderful panacea is what your writing is for me…..therapy like Lucy is to the Peanuts Gang when her sign reads “In”…..thanks Sean for your personal style of reflections and stories. And on the sad ones….they become part of my prayers. God bless!
You do make a difference in so many lives as you write about and thereby celebrate everyday life.
Cracker Barrel... my first time there was about 25 years ago and cost me over $150 because of the “gift shop”. My mother only wore Cracker Barrel’s shirts, it was her favorite store.
Life is like Checkers, you cannot jump backwards, but you can do everything possible to win what lays ahead. That's what you are doing, Sean. Life is better because you play in it.
Cracker Barrel is one of my favorite places for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Have eaten Thanksgiving lunch there also. Sean if you and Jaime are in Foley, Al., give Lamberts a try. Their "throwed rolls", literally they will throw you a roll across the room, are so delicious. Fried, well anything fried, chicken livers and gizzards are so good. Thx for all you do to make our days!!!!
We’ve been to all 3 Lamberts. Love all county cooking.
I work sales in retail. My coworkers and I joke that we are like bartenders. We get to hear stories from our customers. Some people vent. Most people want to get our advice. But being a family- owned business with a staff that’s been steady for years, I think many of our customers enjoy the community and routineness of the store.