Boo! (Radley That Is)

One of my heroes made a rare appearance recently.

Being an Alabama native, I have often had to fend off various onslaughts of insults, idiotic comments and just plain ol' prejudice.

While some of the taunts are true, there is one point that I can always catch even the most ardent Bama hater on: They all love To Kill a Mockingbird - everyone does.

Atticus, Jem, Scout and Boo - who was played by a very young Robert Duvall in case you didn't know - all have a place in American lore that no one can dispute. In these characters, I saw my own childhood - you probably did too.

This is the only book I have ever read cover to cover... every single word.

My great aunt was friends with her back in the University of Alabama days... still calls her Nelle...

Ms. Lee, thank you for giving us this story. Thank you for being who you are...

Thank you for making me proud to be from Alabama.