Built in the holler.

“Mornin’ Y’all” momma says.

Yuns keep it down, pops still in the bed.

Todays gonna be a hot one boys get to cuttin the hill early.... “Yes Ma’am.”

Gravy is done, and here’s the biscuits.

Sissy when y’all get done, load them dishes.

I gotta run, mommas got to get to work early.

While paintin her face, and rolling her hair, momma stops to look in the mirror.

“Lord, I ain’t got a clue how I get today done. I needs some help, if you gotta a lil more strength to give me. While I’m working keep an eye on these young’uns, watch over my old man while he’s digging. Oh yeah how about you take away these dang wrinkles, and look at these grays on my head now I no good and well you had better intentions. Anyway I holler at you later, I thank you father for the life you give me.”

She kisses them babies and says she loves them, then pours herself one last cup of coffee. Belly growling she notices the number of biscuits, pops ain’t ate yet so she just keeps it moving. “Love y’all and see you later.”

Out the holler and up the mountain, she’s sipping coffee and singing. It is what it is, and ain’t what it ain’t, all that matters to her is getting em’ raised, working hard and loving her ol’ man. They might not see it but that’s alright, maybe when she’s dead and gone they’ll understand. She fixes her face one last time, “I swan there’s a new wrinkle.”

Then at work she smiles and greets all the people. On her feet 12 hours a day, making to-do lists all day. One for home the other for here, no place in either for herself.

Appalachian women, born and raised were gifts from God to be unnoticed slaves. Overlooked by the world, stamped by the world as ignorant and dumb. Nobody sees the work she does. Masters diploma, eighty hour weeks, momma, wife and full time volunteer. The tears she cries from the loneliness she feels. She longs more than anything to be seen like them pretty girls on TV, not for the wrinkles but the work she does. The selflessness, strength and compassion she shows.

“Suck it up sweetheart, the day ain’t done bed at midnight then up before the sun.”

She pulls up in the driveway, smiles as the dog rushes out the door. “Lest you get excited to see me get home.” Kids did the chores and in the recliner her old man sits, she leans over to give him a kiss. Eyes fixated on the TV, never noticing the person she is.

“Time to cook supper” she whispers to herself.