That was me in 1954. My mom was trying to get me to look at the camera. I guess not much changed over the years. It’s still not unusual for me to be distracted by a bird, bug, leaf, or my own thoughts, oblivious to what someone is saying or doing. When we were young and still full of wonder at the world, could we have imagined where our path would take us. I certainly didn’t. It is interesting how when we looked at the future from the eyes of our youth how distant it seemed. Now, looking back the other direction, it appears so brief.
Despite all the negative things associated with Appalachia, I feel thankful every day I was born there. Even now, I still cling to the innocence of those days. Was life perfect? Of course not. However, I learned some of life’s most valuable lessons, something that seems woefully absent in our current times. I learned how unstable life can be, to not take people and things for granted,how integrity, merit, and kindness may not make you rich and successful, but they are qualities to live by. Like all of us, I’ve had my failures, but strive to learn from them and be a better person.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating for everyone to grow up in poverty as a foundation to making better people, but for me, I think it helped. One thing is certain, no matter the financial status, the race, culture, religion, title, or education, there will always be people from all walks of life who are a threat to others. We can all push for some Utopian society, pass an endless amount of legislation, be the most politically correct nation on Earth, but will never change the one thing at the core of most of our issues… human nature. No matter how small it might be, it seems you give anyone power over others, they will far too often use it to benefit themselves rather than those around them. I am more convinced than ever, we are born who we are.
Step down from the soapbox.
Appalachia will always be part of who I am, just like where you grew up will always be part of you. I’m not saying it was any better or worse than anywhere else, but somehow it sure seemed that way.
Ralph Sellers 