(Note: This writing originally posted to Facebook on October 4, 2022 in memory of Mrs. Loretta Lynn)
Somewhere in our house, stuffed and stored in a box or trunk, is a white sweatshirt my daddy bought for me when I was in the 6th grade. On the front, written in sparkly black puffy paint, are the words “I’m a Coal Miner’s Daughter” inspired by Loretta Lynn’s signature song. My name is spelled in the same paint across the back of the shirt, a silvery-white sequin, an imitation diamond, dots the letter “i.”
Coal Miner’s Daughter was playing on the radio just before the girls climbed into the car after school today, a tribute to Loretta Lynn and her influence on country music. I paused the song until AK and Lily were settled so they could hear Loretta Lynn’s story. They are, after all, a coal miner’s granddaughters. We talked about Mrs. Lynn’s life and a little bit about mine.
I did not grow up poor, though there were times when the miners went on strike that I suspected my parents had to pinch a few pennies. I remember my daddy working hard, rising before the sun to labor underground.
One time when I was in high school my car would not start so, after work, daddy set out to repair it. Very late, maybe even close to midnight, I heard my car crank and leave the driveway as daddy test drove it around the block. Satisfied it was safe for me to drive again, he came inside to sleep only to wake a few short hours later for work in the coal mines.
I teared up a little bit as the radio played the last lines of Coal Miner’s Daughter:
“Well a lot of things have changed since a way back then
And it’s so good to be back home again
Not much left but the floor, nothing lives here anymore
Except the memory of a coal miner’s daughter.”
I love going home. Our house is still standing and Mom is still there, along with a lot of memories this coal miner’s daughter holds dear.
This quote appeared among many on my Facebook feed today. I sure do love it though not as well as the words to her signature song.
From one coal miner’s daughter to another, rest and be at peace, Mrs. Lynn.
