3 days is way too many days
Posted by Isabel on August 8th, 2007. Filed under: Back in the Day, They're just my family.When I was 14 years old I went on a tour of a local coal mine. Both of my parents, my older brother, and my uncle were with me. Before we went underground we watched an intense training movie. A movie that explained how to use the oxygen tanks we were carry with us at all times. A movie that told us what to do in the event that the mine collapsed and we were trapped.
I remember dressing in the overalls and being hooked up to the oxygen tank. I remember pulling the rubber boots on that went well above my knees. I remember riding in the back of the little truck as we drove into the depths of the mountain. I remember my Dad having to carry my oxygen pack when it got too heavy for me. I remember the water being up to my knees in some parts. I remember how I coughed up black goop for the next week.
I will never forget watching the coal miners as they worked the drill that cut the coal out of the mountain. It was so loud and dark. There were bright flashes every now and again and lights that showed us the way. There were reflectors that were red as you went deeper inside and green as you exited. They told us this was for the miners that might be trapped. They would always be able to know if they were going in the right direction.
My uncle was a coal miner. Everyday he rode a bus to the mine and suited up. He would spend hours under the ground in the dark. He worked hard and in very dangerous conditions. My uncle tried to make coal mining his career. He tried to advance up the ladder to provide for his growing family. He went to college and studied Mine Safety. He truly wanted to stay on at the mine.
Things didn’t work out like he had planned. He didn’t get the promotion he wanted. He started having back problems. He had no choice but to quit the mine and start on a new career path. A career where he would sit behind a desk.
Every time I read about trapped miners I get sick to my stomach. I remember what it felt like to be in that mine when I was a kid. I remember how scary and intense those few hours were. And I was safe. I had my family with me. Nothing was going to happen. And yet, it was so scary. So dark. So quiet. I don’t even want to imagine what they might be going through.
I went to a small college near the town where the six miners are trapped. This is a very small community. These are humble people. These are good people. Their lives revolve around the mining industry. It’s how they make their livings. My college roommate’s dad worked at a local coal mine.
According to the new article; Emery County Sheriff Lamar Guymon said 90 percent of the community is tied to coal mining or energy production.
“This affects everybody, not just six families,” he said.
You probably don’t remember the Wilburg mine fire in 1984. I do. Even though I was only 9 years old, the footage of the families leaving the church after the funerals will forever be etched in my mind. 27 miners died.
Every time I hear about trapped miners I think of my uncle. I think about how he wanted to be a coal miner. I think about how he tried hard to continue in that industry. And I think about how thankful I am that he works behind a desk now.
And my heart aches for those who still works in the mine. And those that are trapped.
And I say a little prayer.
August 8th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Ugh, I can not even imagine. I added a prayer in with yours.
August 8th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
I want to leave a comment but really don’t have anything to say. You said it all very well. And yes. Prayers said for those miners and their families.
August 8th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
So well put.
Why does it always seem like tragedies stack themselves on top of each other? The bridge last week, then yhe miners just a few days later. It’s a constant state of wondering what’s next.
Thoughts and prayers from here as well.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
((((hugs))))
August 8th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Amen.
August 8th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
It’s really terrible. Thank you for sharing your experience.
August 8th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Nice post, Isabel. It breaks my heart to think about how scared those 6 miners must be and what their families are going through. I hope and pray that rescuers are able to get to them soon…very soon.
The people that work in those mines do not get paid nearly enough.
Thanks for sharing this story with us.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Ditto. My step-father’s family is from the same area. I have two step-uncles and a step-cousin who work for coal companies. One uncle works above ground, the other two below. I’ve been thinking about them all week. Even though they are safe, I am sure they know somebody close to the 6 trapped miners.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
The mining industry is so tough, so complicated and those people put their lives at risk EVERY.SINGLE.DAY without giving it a second thought.
My heart aches too for the familes and the loved ones and the small humble towns in which events like these take place. They all are truly affected.
I remember visiting a gold mine when I was younger, and I was amazed at the conditions in which they worked. And my sisters husband? His whole family worked in the mines or were associated in some way. He even worked in a mine when he was a young boy – to help support his large family.
Such a tragic accident. I’m saying a little prayer too.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
I was born and raised in Seattle, but live in Utah now.
I recently was down in Emery, and it is such a small town, and your right very humble. I can’t imagine that this isn’t touching every member of the community in a very personal way. I’m glad to here that the media in other areas cares enough to tell the story, and that it’s getting out there. I am praying for their safety, but it doesn’t look good.
August 9th, 2007 at 3:30 am
I can’t imagine how dark and scary it must be for those poor miners waiting to be rescued. I just hope they are still alive and that they get to them soon.
August 9th, 2007 at 5:38 am
My thoughts and prayers are with your miners – I heard a report on the radio on the way home this afternoon.
Only last year, we had a similar situation in Tasmania – and two men walked out of the mine two weeks later – the whole nation cried tears of relief for that one (and tears of sadness for the one who was lost).
Mining communities are all too often hit very hard by such tragedies – I hope that the men, the mine and the community survive and are strengthened.