Lincoln County, West Virginia (May 1931)
“Melda, come inside before your supper gets cold!” A familiar voice echoed from the shack several feet away. I was somewhat of a daydreamer. I liked to come outside in the evenings to sit and ponder over life, well, as much as you could for a twelve-year-old. There ain’t much to do around here. If you’re looking for country living, then I suppose these parts are somewhere you’d want to be. West Virginia is a beautiful place. I’ve grown up on what’s called a poor farm, where farmland stretches as far as the eye can see. Everybody works on the land to keep roofs over their heads. Daddy drives the school wagon, while mama takes care of all ten of us kids. My older brothers help tend to the farm, but us girls help mama with all the housekeeping, cooking, and washing. I’ve been learning to sew. It’s my favorite thing to help with. Clothes are always getting torn or becoming too small.
“Coming!” I replied, whisked away from my thoughts as I recognized my Daddy’s voice.
As I walked past the tomato garden, I noticed a broken plant. Its remains slumped over on the ground with strings attached to a limb in an attempt by someone to fix it. I said nothing but greeted my father as he led me into our tiny one-room house. I could smell the familiar scent of pinto beans and cornbread. Mama’s bean pot was big enough to feed an entire army. Sylvia, my mother, who grew up as the next to the oldest of fourteen kids, only knew how to fix large suppers. Family time and sewing were her favorite parts of the day. Everyone was already seated at the table as I took my seat beside mama. They might have wondered what I found so interesting. The fresh air of nature and the atmosphere of the farm felt comforting. It was home. The quiet was a nice escape from the noise of so many in such a tiny space. My youngest brother, Jack, was chatting away about his day, taking an occasional bite of food.
“Mel Bell, you shoulda played in the creek with me and James today!” He patted my arm, a goofy grin plastered on his face. “We had so much fun. Quiet is SO boring!” He stuffed a spoonful of beans into his mouth, as James nodded in agreement. They looked at me and burst into a fit of laughter.
“What? I found a spot with some nice clouds.” I replied with a chuckle, shrugging my shoulders. “I like to have time to myself sometimes.”
“Kids, eat,” Mama said with a soft sigh, getting up from the table to pour a glass of water.
My siblings and I always picked at each other like that. Nothing was ever meant by it. Six girls and four boys are the heart of this family: Clara, Georgia, Sarah, Della, Grace, and myself plus Johny, Will, Jack, and James. It was a fun-loving bond we all had as a family. That’s one thing mama and daddy taught us. We always needed each other. My daddy was the teddy bear I could count on. Mama was quiet and not as worrisome over me. We bonded over sewing and spent a lot of time together.
“Has anyone looked at our tomato plants today?” Daddy said, glimpsing at us. “A pesky squirrel got into one of em’.” A big smile spread across his face. “Took my spool of string too. The darn thing must’ve tried to fix it himself.”
“Oh dear,” replied mama. “I never noticed.” She glanced over to Jack and James with a smile. My mother was the keeper of all secrets. No matter how firm she could be, you could be sure to trust her with anything. Us girls helped clean up after dinner as the boys went back outside to play until dark. Nighttime came around and it was time for bed. Little living space made for tight quarters. We weren’t always the most comfortable but slept without a complaint. We were fortunate to even have what we had. Mama called it a true blessing.
As everyone was settling in, James tiptoed over to where daddy was. I wondered what he had done this time. James has the biggest heart of all. He can’t tell a lie, and couldn’t keep a secret either. I suspected Mamaw knew something already. I was sure of it. Any time James tried to hide something, mama always let him know she knew by winking at him with a smile to ease his mind. Even though daddy was a soft person, he loved his garden, and James knew he couldn’t keep it in. He had to tell him the truth.
“Daddy, can I tell you somethin’?” James asked.
“Well, sure. C’mere kiddo!” Daddy scooped him up into his lap. “What’s the matter?”
“Me and Jack sorta tore up your tomato plant. We didn’t mean to, honest.” His eyes grew wide and a look of concern framed his face.
“Oh, your mama already told me!” He said, enveloping James in a hug. “I reckon it’s alright, but be careful when yall are outside playin’ from now on. Alright? “
James nodded. “Yes sir.” Daddy put James to bed and made sure we were all as comfortable as could be. He and mama went to bed as the evening had come to a close.
As the days would pass by, the story would continue with each moment bringing its own set of challenges. The reason why I cherished my family so much was that we loved each other. It was the foundation of all great things, the heart of a home we could run to. A foundation of shelter, love, and security. No one person or thing could come between us. The best part of living each day was the journey that we shared on the run to our loving home.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4: 7-8)
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