Saturday, December 6, 2008

The Value of What You Do

Coal miners of Coaldale

I live in a small coal mining town. It's called Coaldale. There is a lot of history here. Most of the residents are the offspring of coalminers, excepting the few who moved into the area to retire. I am in the latter group. While enjoying the beauty of the area, mountainous and sparsely populated, I am struck by the determined fiber of the people who live here. This area has been hit hard by the recession, and almost half of the populace has moved on to greener pastures. The one's who have stayed behind are toughing it out just trying to make ends meet. Their ancestry lies in oppression, but these people strike me as being quietly strong. Actually, some of the nicest people I have ever met. No room for pretention here. People who, for the most part, are completely comfortable in their own skins, and are quick to make you feel comfortable too.

Everywhere you go, someone has fought hard for the place where you are standing. This is something I used to take for granted. This is something most of my neighbors have never been able to take for granted. So, there is a value to everything you do. It's not a tangible thing, but of value none the less. I'm learning all the time, folks . . . learning all the time.

1 comment:

LoulouBel said...

As we get older we hopefully will have learned many lessons. I love the little towns like yours. Hazelton is another. Thank you for inviting me to your blog Diane.
I love you and what you have done here.