I was borned a coal miner’s daughter…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9THvjcohqVg
Yes, I am a coal miner’s daughter, yes, I married a Lynn. I would love to say that I can sing like The Coal Miner’s Daughter, Loretta Lynn, but, alas, I can’t. Both of my grandfathers were coal miners, my daddy and my brother were coal miners. As of last month, even my nephew is now a coal miner. When I say coal miner, I mean an underground coal miner.
My brother and my daddy, the two former coal miners above, with my sister in law and step mom.
My nephew, the newest generation of McDonald coal miners.
I come from a very close knit extended family. My paternal grandfather (also a coal miner) passed away in 1956. My parents had just gotten married. My grandmother was a 45 (so very young) year old housewife who suddenly had no means of support. This was back before people in their socio-economic situation bought life insurance. My parents moved in with my Nana and she became my daddy’s dependent. Mother and Daddy built a new house next door and when we moved, Nana moved with us. She and I shared a bedroom until I was 12 years old.
My Nana, middle front row and her sisters.
Blackwell Family Reunion 1987.
Some of you may be thinking, I didn’t have more own space and stuff, but I have to tell you, I had a great childhood & couldn’t imagine it any other way. There were even times my Nana’s mother lived with us. Grandma was a three time widow, with 5 daughters. My great aunts, great uncles and their families were closer to me than most people’s immediate family. We have a family reunion the second Sunday in June, every year. The next one will be our 67th consecutive year reunion.
I’ve said all of this to show you what a close knit extended family I have and how important they are to me and how supportive they are. I would not be the person that I am today without all of that special love from my very close extended family. I love them all, even the strange and quirky ones…
Blackwell Reunion 2011
