After interviewing Doyle, it was time to interview his older brother.
Greg sat on the cushioned metal swing seat, and rocked back and forth as we talked. Forty-six years he’d worked in coal, most of it on the surface. Had a few lucky escapes with his life.
We talked about the importance of coal in our economy, about how it is instrumental in the creation of not just energy for heating homes, but also in the manufacturing of such everyday materials as steel. Like everyone else we talked to in Eastern Kentucky, he felt that coal and coal miners had been blamed for a lot of pollution without ever being acknowledged for their vital role in building up the country we enjoy today.
Greg had recently had a tough couple years. In March of ‘23, his wife of close to five decades passed away unexpectedly, in his arms. A few months later he had been riding motorcycles with his sons, when he crashed and was airlifted to a faraway hospital where they put metal rods in his broken back.
Then, this past February most of Greg’s life posessions were swept away in the Tug River. A small remainder of his stuff was being stored under the lean-to we were sitting under. However, despite all this recent trauma, Greg had a stability of spirit. He took the loss of his wife, his health and his home in stride and even had a calming, comforting influence over the conversation. It seemed the fleeting challenges of life on Earth did nothing to shake Greg’s profound faith in God. His certainty his wife awaits in heaven, and that life and the hardships of the moment are part of an infinitely complex plan of the Almighty. Put another way, found understanding and profound personal peace through unceasing faith.
Nathan of Inez Free Will Baptist Church had found Greg in the days after the flood, seen the devastation, and promised him they would help out. Enlisted the help of Dwayne and ARO and together with FEMA and local volunteers and workers, the good people of Martin County came together to support the Maynards and hundreds of others just like them. The flood-damaged potentially moldy trailers were demolished and removed, and when we filmed (a few weeks ago) Doyle and Greg were awaiting brand new trailers (free of cost) to live in. In the meantime, they’re living higher up the holler with cousins, or with family further away on dry ground.
A couple days prior to our interview, Oliver Anthony Music and others played a free concert in Inez, Kentucky, that the brothers had attended. Was sitting on the black metal railing of the Martin County Courthouse, taking in the moment. Gathered people in a small town enjoying the twilight of a warm Spring night, eating food from food trucks, taking in the music. Greg and Doyle had seen me sitting there, and immediately came up to talk. There’s a saying that you never remember what people say, only the way they make you feel. And it’s mostly true. Don’t recall the conversation we had, only that we were able to sit comfortably both in conversation and in silence. Felt at peace in each other’s presence. That evening at the hotel, I’d extended the stay by a night to go and film with Greg and Doyle, share their story.
As the interview came to a close, said goodbye to the brothers and promised to return in October. Got in the car and started the dayslong journey home.
Grateful.
best thoughts,
graham
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