Eyes Wide Open

Hey There

Discover my latest Journeys

Although there have been times when I have stumbled through life as through my eyes were shut, I grew up in a small Appalachian community, OK, it was a holler, with parents who encouraged me to keep my eyes wide open. I was the lyrical “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” and during my early years and when my Dad was underground, we ate well, dressed well and played well but when the coal company lays him off, which happened too frequently, times were lean. Wait, this is not a sob story, quite the opposite, even in those lean times, my parents did not just provide the basic needs, but they read to me, allowed me to become a little ballerina, taught me to swing a whiffle ball bat, allowed me to splash in the creek, and most important to my new journey to blog, took me on adventures. I have vivid memories of traveling through these West Virginia hills, visiting state parks, stopping at historical markers, learning about my heritage and opening my eyes….letting me see the “world,” not just through their world view. We took vacations, went to the South Carolina coast, the great Smoky Mountains and yes, made the pilgrimage (or five) to see Mickey Mouse and friends. In high school, my parents said “Au revoir” with tears in their eyes and allowed me to fly to Brittany, France, to be an exchange student with a wonderful family (you will see more of them later). Not only did I become fluent in French, but I gained a love for food (heavy emphasis on cheese), music, history, and architecture. After high school and two years of college, I went to my parents with a new adventure, one that did not go over well or at least at first—the US Army. Join the Army, see the world. I am sure that there will be some Army stories that slip into the blog from time to time, but 20 years, 5 kiddos, several pets, multiple moves, and my first retirement, I began a new journey. With a new career, several years as a small business owner (yes, I can sling a sweet latte), and my youngest child in high school, I moved back to these West Virginia hills. Oh yeah, I also decided to try my hand at blogging after multiple requests from friends, family and acquaintances who have felt that they experienced new places, new foods, other cultures, and my favorite things through my social media. Most importantly, this blog will document my continued journey to be mindful and always walk through life with my eyes wide open. 

Kelly Ward