Sean Dietrich
Columnist
Sean is a writer for The Observer
Sean Dietrich's Latest
BY WALT ALBRITTON My friends tell me they admire how strong I have been since the death of my son, Mark, on Jan. 15. I thank them for their kind words. But the truth is, I am not always strong; there are weak moments when sorrow descends upon me...
My phone finally arrives in the mail. It’s small. Ugly. It’s “dumb.” And it looks like it was invented during the Herbert Hoover administration. This phone is incapable of performing any task greater than making phone calls or serving as a...
BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION — The author and philosopher, Elton Trueblood, got my attention when he said that Mark 10:45 is the most revolutionary verse in the New Testament. Look at again with that comment in mind: For even the Son of Man did not...
BY SEAN DIETRICH OPINION — I miss glass bottles. I come from a generation of glass.And therein lies a fundamental difference between my generation and the current one.Glass bottles were everywhere. Glass packaging contained everything from...
OPINION — In 2022 I ceased being an octogenarian and became a nonagenarian. And now, at age 92, I can testify that many memories for nonagenarians remain precious. I delight in looking back and giving thanks for many unforgettable friends I have...
OPINION — A mericans are arguing right now. And believe me, I get it. There is a lot going on. Everyone has differences of opinion. But I wondered if we Americans couldn’t put aside our disagreements for a moment, and agree on a few things we...
BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION — When Jesus was walking through Jericho, he attracted a large crowd. In the crowd was a man named Zacchaeus who was short of statue, so short he could not see Jesus over the crowd. Determined to see Jesus, he ran ahead of...
BY SEAN DIETRICH OPINION — All I wanted was a newspaper.It was a small town. Somewhere in the Southeast. Big shopping complex, off the interstate. Best Buy, Red Lobster, Ulta, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Target, and all other franchises that...
I’ve never seen London. I’ve never seen France. Consequently, I’ve never seen anyone’s underpants. But in a few months my wife Jamie and I will fly into France — wearing underpants — to do something that is completely nuts because my wife is...
By Walt Albritton OPINION — Sherrill Morrison never preached a sermon in his church. A humble truck driver, he was not a prominent, influential leader in his church. However, Sunday after Sunday he stood in the sanctuary welcoming people to church....
Snow in the South OPINION —From the archives: March 2022 “Snow?” said my wife. “Snow,” I said.“You’re joking,” she said.So I showed her the newspaper headline, which read: “Alabama Winter Storm Warning Issued: Up to 4 Inches Expected Tonight.”“Snow...
Watch out for the rattlesnakes OPINION — Most people will agree with the Bible’s teaching that God is love. And almost everyone would agree that God uses a multitude of ways to inspire his children to walk like He wants them to walk. But here’s a...
Newspapers Newspapers have a smell. If you’re lucky enough to find a physical newspaper in our digital world, you’ll notice the smell first. Fresh newsprint paper. SoySeal ink. Still warm. It’s a unique scent.I grew up throwing newspapers. Not on a...
Life changing words OPINION — The television commercial said that 50 million Americans have hearing loss. I did a fact check. Turns out the number is more like 30 million. The commercial was probably produced by a hearing aid company.Whatever the...
Jan. 1, 2025: I brought in the new year with a blind dog. She was seated beside me, wagging her butt. I think she could feel the energy in the air. Everyone else in my house was asleep because they are — in the literary sense — massive party...
During the Last Supper, according to John’s gospel, Jesus shared with his disciples the spiritual blessings they would receive after his crucifixion and resurrection (chapters 14-17). They would be blessed with the certainty that Jesus was in the...
A boyhood Christmas break OPINION — Christmas break. There were little-kid toys scattered around the house, fallen in the line of duty.A friendship bracelet kit, decimated. A loaded whoopee cushion on a chair, awaiting its next victim. A Silly...
You can make a new beginning The calendar – what a marvelous idea! One year ends. A new year begins. I love it!It offers us the opportunity to do two healthy things: let go of the past and make a new beginning.How do you let go of the past? You...
Happy New Year OPINION — New Years - Jan. 2016 Millions of years ago, New Year’s Eve was a rather disappointing thing. Way back then, our filthy ancestors huddled around campfires, sipping swamp water, grunting at teenagers who peed too close to...
Recalling joy in the Cumberland Mountains OPINION — Living a life filled with love must begin in the home with the family. A preacher cannot share authentic love with others if his family views him as a “street angel and a house devil.”...
