This is the story of one mans journey as he tries to make sense of and make the best out of day-to-day life. It is a monologue and autobiography of someone who is struggling to find himself and to understand where he 'fits' in society. Often, asking himself "Did I say the right thing? Did I do the right thing? Will I ever see more better days than bad?". Of course everyone at one time or another (and quite often if the truth be told) have had such doubts and wonders. This blog will be an open letter to not just the bad times, the odd happenings, self-amusing thoughts, but also to all that is good. All that makes life a great experience.
I was born and raised in Southeastern Kentucky. The son of a coal miner and grandson of a trucker.
Like many in Clay County, I come from a family who were ''lower class' who had worked hard to reach the middle class. Or something close to it anyway. At the age of three, my father, for one reason or another, left and never came back. And, as I type this, for some reason or another I find humor in it. Choice of words I suppose. One of the most important things I've learned in life is you need a sense of humor about anything and everything if you still want to be sane and happy should you make it to old age. There is, after all, plenty to be stressed about.
When my father left it deeply influenced my mental development as well as a multitude of choices, actions, and ramifications that will continue on until my very last breath. I chuckle again. Despite the negative impact it had (as well as positive, if you can believe) I had a great childhood. In someways identical to the movie Sandlot (if you hadn't seen it I recommend you check it out. Its what I like to call a 'feel good' movie). I grew up in a holler which is a neighborhood built withing a valley of a mountainous region. No different from any other neighborhood in America with the exception of small creeks, trees everywhere, hills everywhere, and a forest in your backyard. I was raised by my mother and her side of the family. The Sizemores. Which is kind of funny considering I was the only Smallwood in the bunch. But when it comes down to it, I'm probably more Sizemore than Smallwood due to my upbringing I guess.
My family all lived next door to one another. I'm talking Mamaw and Papaw, grandmaw, my uncle and aunts, and of course my immediate family (my mother and the additions to come later under my 'step-father').
I lived in a wonderful holler called Chopbottom. Wonderful mostly because of the people. A place where everyone knew everyone. And at one time or another as a child I've played with every other kid in the holler. Whether it be softball, jumping creeks, exploring the mountains, foot races, games of tag or hide an' go seek, basketball, lifting weights, riding bikes, whatever you can think of you name it. And to top it off, I was born in the 80's! Kids today really don't have a clue what they missed out on in terms of toys, cartoons, tv shows, community, and the last of America's innocence in terms of believing the good times would last forever.
The 80's was the peak of success for Clay County. The Sweet 16 (a reference for a basketball tournament won by the county) made Richie Farmer a star, coal was still booming and industry was everywhere. Small businesses were a' plenty. Everything was just so, different, back then. That continued somewhat in the 90's. But also the 90's was the beginning of the end for a lot good things in the county. And we're still recovering.
Lack of leadership is to blame, but that is a story for a another day.
So having said all this, I just wanted you the reader to get a better sense of who I am as a person. Even though much of what I wrote barely scratches the surface it is a start. And to wrap this up I just want to say what this blog is for. As I said earlier, it really is a 'open letter'. Open, in the sense that it is 'open' to the public, to anyone who takes the time to read it. And a 'letter', in the sense that it is personal. Hillside Letters is a reference about where I am from. I write what I write more-so for myself than for anyone else. But at the same time I invite others to engage as readers to whatever it is I'm trying to write at any given time. Boy that was a mouthful.
In writing for myself, I'm hoping to preserve some memories from my past and as they are being made. So much happens on a weekly basis that can easily be taken for granted that when looked back on later in life is truly interesting, awesome, great, terrible, and fun. And, there is something to be said about putting words to paper (or as in this case fingers to keyboard). Verbal and written communication is vital to succeeding in life, and I really want to succeed. Communication really can make or break you and any future you hope to have. So that is another reason I've started blog. Blog, what a dull sounding word but fits strangely.
It's my hope that you take this journey with me. I can't promise you will always be entertained. But if I write half of what's in my head at least you'll probably find it interesting.
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