The Appalachian Mountains and My Father

When I was eight years old, my father was diagnosed with colon cancer. He had a long battle, and to cope with the pain, he turned to nature. I can’t remember how many summer nights we drove aimlessly, underneath the tree tops and shinning stars. We didn’t care where we were driving to, or where we would end up; we just drove. He told me the same stories his father once told to him, teaching me about our ancestors. I’d give anything to hear those stories again. How is it possible that certain places can remind you of someone? How hearing a song or rhythm can take you back to a time long ago? When you think of that someone, the one who never truly leaves your mind, you have a flooding of emotions cascade over you. There’s sadness, joy, regret, confusion, disbelief; everything you could ever feel bundled up inside of you. It makes your stomach feel like the Fourth of July. Weather that feeling is good or not, I still cannot tell.

For me, that place is the Appalachian Mountains, and that someone is my father.

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I too, turn to nature in my times of need and sorrow. I seek clarity in the things that surround me – the mountains, the trees, and the sky. I can see my father in all of it.

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In the mountains, I see his arms, strong and big, waiting to enclose me in loving embraces, whispering sweet nothings, insuring me that everything will be okay. In the winter, when their tall peaks are sprinkled with snow and frost, it resembles, for me, the small hints of white that began to appear in his hair.

In the trees, I see his figure, tall and mighty, like a statue of a Greek warrior. The prickly branches of pine trees are a nod to his serious attitude when times are hard. Contrary, the soft leaves of the oak trees represents how he acted most of the time, and how I like to remember him – happy, loving, and childlike.

In the sky, I see his caring face, smiling down at me from the heavens above. It’s been three years since I last saw such a glistening sight, and every day I long for it more and more.

We all have that special place, and that special someone. You just have to find yours.

 

Hannah Adams is 17 and a junior at Letcher County Central. She is very influenced by the Arts and has been since elementary school. She enjoys reading, writing, and creating various genres of art, such as paper crafting, knitting, sewing, and more. She hopes to get a degree in Journalism and work at Disney World.

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4 thoughts on “The Appalachian Mountains and My Father”

  1. Rita Shepherd Tolson

    This is so heartwarming! Thank you for sharing your feelings for this great man. He must have been just as special as you let us to believe. I look forward to hearing more from you in the future. You will inspire and make people understand our mountain heritage.

  2. Celeste Johnson

    The piece by Hannah Adams was beautifully written. It touched my heart so much. Congratulations to Hannah you have a gift, keep writing!

  3. DARLENE ADAMS-HURT AND CHRYSTAL ADAMS

    HANNAH,THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL,HANK WAS ONE OF THE KINDEST,SOFT HEARTED MEN IVE KNOWN,HE LOVED HIS FAMILY SO MUCH,I KNOW YOULL INSTILL THAT IN YOUR CHILDREN ONE DAY,HANK WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR CHRYS AFTER HER DAD AND I DIVORCED,ILL NEVER FORGET WHEN CHRYS WAS ONLY A BABY,SHE HAD A HIGH FEVER AND HER DAD WAS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND,HANK CAME AND SET UP WITH US ALL NIGHT AND HELPED SPONGED HER AND GIVE HER MEDS AND LET ME SLEEP BECAUSE ID WORKED ALL DAY,HE AND MARVIN FIT THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE HE HAD NOT BEEN THERE FOR US,THATS THE KIND OF PERSON HE WAS,CHRYS STILL SPEAKS OF HIM WTH SUCH KINDNESS,THANKS FOR THE BEAUTIFUL WORDS AND YES YOU HAD ONE IN A MILLION DAD AND NOW YOU HAVE AN AMAZING MOM TO HELP GUIDE YOU ON THROUGH LIFE

  4. Brenda Dotson

    So well written and with so much love. Write everything you can remember now because as you get older you will forget a lot of the little things that your young mind knows now. I wish I could remember all the wonderful things my Grandpa told me. We would go out on the porch at night and study the stars. Told me what every tree was. I hope to read your stories for many years to come.

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