Coal Mines...

Western Kentucky is very sad today. Last night, a ceiling collapsed in one of the local mines. There were two young men who were trapped and when we heard about it on the news this morning, I told Drew that there was a very good possibility that I would know one of them.

By lunch, it turned out that my prediction was true and that this young man had passed away. He was a senior at my high school when I was a freshman and we even had a class together. His last name was also the same as my maiden name even though we are not related.

Coal mining is a dangerous job. Its a scary, dirty, dark job and I can't imagine the men who go to work there everyday. A lot of times I probably don't say the nicest thing about the mines, but for the men who work in them it is a way for them to earn a very honest living for their families. These men are proud and their families are proud of them. If you don't believe me, listen to the song "Coal Miner's Daughter" or drive through my town and look at all the stickers that indicate a vehicle belongs to either a Coal Miner or a Coal Miners Wife.

We should all feel lucky that these men go to work for us everyday and make it possible for a light to come on everytime we flip a switch. I know that I take that for granted daily.

If you have a second, please say a prayer for the two families and all of the friends who were touched by this mornings accident.

Here is an article about the accident.