Picking a Ditch to Get Stuck In

It’s 4 p.m. The sun is just about to descend over the hills and guess where I am? You’ll probably never guess. I’m stuck at the end of Pattie’s driveway, my front right truck tire deep in a ditch that was camouflaged by wet leaves fallen in this late autumn season. Pump the gas, there’s no going forward. Put the truck in reverse, no going back. I’m stuck. Great, now what do I do? Call a wrecker? Call my supervisor Lisa? Do I even get cell service out here?

I’m supposed to be in downtown Whitley City in thirty minutes to help with an extension office class. I guess that’s now cancelled. As I pace around the truck and all these thoughts are rolling through my head I see a figure walking towards me from way down the road. Pattie’s son-in-law, James, with a kind smile on his face is coming towards me. “What’d you get yer’self into here girl?” It was obvious that I didn’t have the means to get myself out of this one. We both tried to move the truck back and forth, but there was absolutely no budging it. James said he would be back with his own truck in a few minutes to see if he could pull me out.

While I was waiting for James to return with his heavy duty mega truck, my pitiful little scene had turned into the afternoon entertainment for many of the people in the little town of Sawyer, Kentucky. Not only was half of Pattie’s family outside taking in the action, but even the local school bus driver had stopped to make sure everyone was okay. I didn’t have to wait for the local newspaper to be delivered that weekend. I got all my local news right there on Honeybee Road waiting with these McCreary County residents for James and his truck to return.

In the meantime, I had to go back into Pattie’s home to use the bathroom. Maybe I should explain why I was even there in the first place. I had driven all the way out to Pattie’s house that day, never having been there before, to meet this legend of a lady. I had heard about her from my housemates and others in the community as one of the most awesome and wise ladies to ever walk McCreary County. My goal that day was to introduce myself, visit with Pattie and her family, and eventually ask if she would like to speak at the Christmas service that CAP holds every year.

When you first enter Pattie’s home, you will notice wooden birds and bowls and other creations that Pattie makes in her free time. Pattie had never met me before, but she instantly welcomed me into her home, told me to take a seat, and then proceeded to tell me stories about her childhood and life that had all occurred within 5 miles of the very seat in which I was sitting. When the conversation lulled, I went ahead and asked if she would speak for our Christmas service. Pattie hesitated, and in answering she said, “The only way I can speak is if you let me talk about Jesus.” I laughed heartily and told her that is exactly what I wanted her to do.

Pattie's response is a testament to the true and rock-solid faith that I witness here in Eastern Kentucky every day. The people I have met here rely on God for everything they do. They do not let their hardships define who they are or breed doubt into their lives. Instead the trials they face only strengthen their trust in the Lord. I admire that about these beautiful people, and I strive to be more like them every day.

Fast forward to the truck in the ditch again. James is back with his heavy duty truck. He already had it all hooked up to the back of my little Chevy by the time I returned from Pattie’s house. I got in the driver’s seat and put the truck in reverse. And just as easy as I had got in the ditch I came rolling right out with just a few little tugs from James' truck. People were clapping in the street, and Pattie was out on her front porch, silently chuckling in amusement at the whole encounter. I even made it to that class in Whitley City, and I wasn’t even late.

With the help of many kind souls I got out of that ditch, and it's encounters like these that show me why I am drawn to serve in Eastern Kentucky. It’s not the mountains, or the music, or the long summer nights. I am drawn to the people. Appalachian people of strong faith who face adversity with God by their side. People who value relationships over stuff and front porch sitting over constant busyness. If I had to pick a ditch to get stuck in, I would pick Pattie’s ditch any day.

Simone is currently serving as a Family Advocacy/Housing Caseworker and lives in the McCreary County volunteer community. She is a 2015 graduate of University North Carolina - Chapel Hill and has previously served with CAP at WorkFest and as a camp counselor at Camp Andrew Jackson. Opinions expressed in volunteer blogs are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of CAP or the Volunteer Program.