A Particular Place

Today marks the 156th birthday of my native state.  I am thankful to have been born and raised in West Virginia, and for the past 17 years to be serving as Pastor of Westmoreland Baptist Church here in Huntington, WV.

Even though I have been a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky since 1980, "Mountain Momma" is still home to me.

My maternal Grandfather, Jerry Stidham, deeply loved West Virginia.  Whereas I was born in West Virginia and moved to Kentucky, Papaw Stidham was born in Breathitt County, Kentucky and was brought to the Mountain State at an early age, by his father, Asbury Stidham, a blacksmith in the coal mines in the early years of the 20th Century.  It is hard to believe my grandfather would have been 110 years old this year.

After beginning his work life at age 15 in the mines, Papaw Stidham married and raised a family in the coal camps of Logan County, WV.  He eventually left the mines to become an official with the United Mine Workers of America and eventually rose to a position of International Representative of the UMWA.  He lobbied for the Union in the West Virginia state house, where he had served three terms, himself, in the House of Delegates in the late 1940's and early 50's. He was a friend to many who served the state as Governors and United States Congressmen and Senators.

It was Governor Huelett C. Smith who named him Poet Laureate of West Virginia in 1965. Papaw wrote numerous poems over the years, including his personalized Christmas cards from 1955 till his last Christmas in 1967.  One of his poems recounted his conversion experience, which led to his becoming an Ordained Free Will Baptist Minister for the final 15 years of his life.

One of my personal favorites was a poem he wrote about his beloved state of West Virginia.  On today's 156th birthday, I will share it with you - in memory of Jerry E. Stidham,

A Particular Place

When God made the earth, He looked out in space,

And graciously blessed a particular place.

Some mountains He molded to begin His plan,

As He knew they would be cherished by mortal man.

The valleys He shaped so deep and so wide,

And the streams so swift, never to hide,

The sparkle or ripple from man's sharp eye,

So crystal and clear as if dropped from the sky.

The seasons He made our desire to delight:

With light of the day and darkness at night,

Overcast with stars and a silvery moon

The sun in the heavens every day at noon.

With seeds of summer's green grass to grow,

Sleeping under the beauty of a winter's snow.

The Gorgeous spring flowers for all to see,

And the abundant color of the autumn tree.

Game creatures for the bow and fish for the rod,

Rich fertile soil for the tiller of the sod.

Great beds of coal and timber galore,

Limestone and gas, very much in store.

So great, so fine, wonderful and rich,

A pleasant surprise in each corner and niche.

Nowhere you go will be the same,

For West Virginia is it's name.

- Jerry Stidham