We are our Mothers' Daughters

"The women who are counted as true Daughters of Appalachia were seldom gentle flowers as flowers only lasted a season. The women born in the shadow of the mountains stand and thrive through all four (seasons) without complaining. Wouldn’t do no good anyhow. The greatness of mountain families are built upon the bones of such women, rock-spine matriarchs and Mamaws who survived the bad times, the bad weather, and bad men like it was their job because frankly, it was." -- Old Gods of Appalachia, Build Mama a Coffin ep. 1

My mother and the friends' mothers who helped raise me were all strong women each in their own way. My grandmothers and great grandmothers too. Some were strong by nature, and some were strong because life made or required them to be that. They farmed and cooked and cleaned and sewed and worked until their backs ached and their fingers cracked. They were quick to laugh and hug, and there was always a cookie or slice of cake just for you. Recipes were shared with the memories of how they learned them. There were songs in the kitchen while you helped roll and cut out the biscuits or mix the cornbread. Sewing was taught. Gardening was a full family activity. Snapping beans til your fingers were sore and green and husking corn and canning everything that grew so that we could all eat well over the winter. I have learned so much from the women in my family, and I am still learning. My Mama's gone now, but I can and do still call my remaining grandmother regularly. I call just to talk mostly, but sometimes it's to ask for a special recipe or how to grow a certain vegetable or why my beans didn't taste like hers. I cherish all the time I have with her and will never not have questions to ask her or memories to share.

I learned from them to love fiercely, to be generous of spirit, and to be a stubborn, tenacious thorn in someone's side when I believe what I am fighting for is right. They were protective until I could protect myself, and they taught me what I needed to know to be able to confidently go out on my own and succeed.

None of them were or are perfect women. They come from very different worlds from each other and different worlds than the one we find ourselves in today. Sometimes our views do not always mesh well with one another. But I never doubt they loved me and that I could call on them if I was in need.