This post is submitted to Friday Fictioneers.
“It was your father’s only way to feed us. Coal was king in this part of Kentucky. We didn’t care about no black lung disease. Lord knows we never heard the words “climate change” and won’t make no difference if we did.”
“When he entered that mine shaft he had no idea it would be his last day on earth. Not only his last day but the last day for 37 other miners.”
“But I tell you one thing boy about your father. I knows you had differences with him but he would be proud that you became an environmental engineer.”
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Oh Danny Boy! 
Excellent.
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I like this one a lot!
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Dear Danny,
A whole lotta story in them thar paragraphs. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Always nice to hear from you. Thanks!
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And I hope he is equally as proud of the sacrifices his father made and doesn’t let the carbon footprint coal has been blackened with diminish that pride in any way. Great write.
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We can hope.
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Great last line. Love the story.
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Sacrificing his health, it was honorable that his father fed his family. Sounds like that’s what mattered to him. His son went on to be a strong man as well and his father would be proud for sure. A beautifully real story.
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Thanks for the kind words and stopping by.
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Fathers usually feel proud of their son’s achievements. They cannot express but proudly tell others.
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Thanks. Your comment reminds me that probably my dad felt the same way.
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I’m sure he would be proud.
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A man had to do what he had to, to take care of his family. Of course he would be proud of his son today!
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This was a touching tale. The homespun honesty was a firm foundation for that touch of hope at the end.
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Thanks for the nice comment.
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They were dark days back then. A delightful tale indeed.
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A kind-hearted eulogy. Nice one.
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Yes, I suspect he would.
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Lovely, different generations with different priorities but his dad sounds like he was a good chap and would have understood.
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I agree. A good soul, one that was willing to put himself at risk to feed his family, would be proud to see his child become a good man… especially in a way that would keep him safe.
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He would be very proud, I’m sure.
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