I’m a true daughter of the mountains of West Virginia — some 10 or more generation. My roots go back through Jamestown Colony to England and Scotland and thru Philadelphia to Holland. Some of my ancestors came here as soldiers, some as bound servants, some to escape religious persecution, and some just to seek a better life. But all of them brought with them a sense of adventure and the willingness to go, see and prevail — some of them over the worst kinds of hardships.
Lots of stories came down to me through my family; the oral tradition was still strong when I was a child. I remember going to family reunions, church socials, ramp dinners, square dances and Sunday school. Everywhere I went the old folks talked all day, told each other family stories, old and new, and I sat and listened or ran and played — but always came back to hear what the “grownups” were saying.
They didn’t tell us how to live — they lived and let us watch.
So here I am …. 71 years old with most of those years spent in the advertising and broadcast business. I have become a complete nut about computers and the Web where I spend most of my time now having a wonderful time producing and hosting Web radio shows. The world is at your fingertips with the Internet. It’s the only thing that makes me wish I had born 30 years later so I’d have more time to “play” on line.
I’ve traded the West Virginia mountains for the mountains of California, and have lived, worked and played in lot of places in between, But as my former husband used to say, you can’t take the country out of the gal … and I’ve found that no matter where I go, what I learned from the family has stood me in good stead — whether in the dining room of the United Nations or marching with Dr. King through Atlanta.
Hold steady, observe, adapt and be very certain of your ability to survive. You may be a little frazzled sometimes, maybe frightened, sad and discouraged, but you can always survive if you always believe in your own worth.
