I wish I had been in Bethlehem

These words are dedicated to the memory of my late friend, Otis Brumby, Jr., publisher of the Marietta Daily Journal. He encouraged me to run this column each Christmas season. It is also dedicated to those who believe.I wish I had been there.In Bethlehem.

The story of Him

Years ago, a Harper-Collins editor called my agent.“Could we interest Ronda in writing about the strong faith of Southern women?” he asked. “My mother was Southern. I’ve never met a family more entrenched in the gospel than Mom’s.

Attorney General Carr makes run for governor

I sat down recently with Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr to talk about his decision to run for governor. Carr will face off against current Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, plus a couple of no-names in next May’s Republican primary, seeking to succeed current Gov.

Special occasions

I never knew my friend’s Aunt Elsie. Still, the valuable lesson she taught me will never be forgotten.Miss Elsie died a while back in her tiny Alabama town, having lived to be 81. Her grandest adventure happened over 30 years ago when she had gone to see a cousin in Memphis.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Dear editor,My wife Nathalie and I would like to wish you, your staff, and all of your readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.During this special season, we are reminded of the importance of faith, family, service, and community.

Santa Claus joins the information age

I visited this topic some years ago, but things don’t seem to have changed.RING! RING! RING!“Beep! Beep! You have reached the offices of Santa Claus and Associates at the North Pole.”“Hi, my name is Dick Yarbrough, and I would like ...

The South’s American queen

A reader from Minnesota recently wrote and, in her email, she mentioned that she lives near where the Mississippi River begins.There is no greater, more besotted fan of the Mississippi than I. Of course, I had questions.Where does it start?How deep and wide is it?

Turning down all those dukedoms

I got a lot of mail encouraging me to take the job as Duke of York, which I appreciated. I thought long and hard about it but decided to take my name out of the running. I hope you aren’t disappointed but looking back I believe it was the right decision.

Dill and me

It was in the Springtime, some 20-odd years ago, that I was headed to the Georgia coast for a speaking engagement.My phone rang. This was in the glorious days before texting had rudely invaded our lives.The most beautiful, lilting voice replied to my “Hello?

Why Thanksgiving feels different

AuthorThis Thanksgiving, something feels different as Americans gather around the table. The rituals are still there, turkey, football, family fights over politics, but the meaning underlying them all has shifted.