Vacation...What it Really Means to Those Working in the Funeral Business

Vacation, the beloved and one of the most anticipated times during ones work year; especially when you work in the funeral business. It had been two years since I had taken a week off from working, two years that I had worked without a break of no longer than three days. I'm a firm believer in vacations, especially when you work hard and pull your weight no matter what the profession that you're in. Contrary to what the majority of the public may think, this job is one that is stressful, not to mention one that requires you to work long unforeseen hours. Vacations are definitely earned, so therefore it is vital that we take some time to get away from our jobs and refresh ourselves or we will risk getting burnt out with our jobs. When people think of vacation, it's mostly a trip out of town jam packed with plans to do all sorts of things while you're away. While that's great and all, (and something that I did as well that I enjoyed immensely), I also had other things in mind that I just couldn't wait to do.
My boyfriend (whom I happen to work with) planned a nice little getaway trip to Tennessee. I can't even begin to explain how nice this was, because when you work with the public in a small town, even the simplest of things like going out to dinner or going shopping can take longer than expected because you see so many people that you know. Now don't get me wrong, we both love seeing and talking to those we've helped or that we know, but sometimes it's just nice to go to a place where no one knows you and you can enjoy doing your own thing. We got to experience new attractions that we hadn't been to before and we were just able to blend in with the crowd. The five day getaway was definitely nice, but there's no way I would ever trade the Smokey Mountains for the beloved Appalachian Mountains that I live in. Towards the end of the trip I was definitely ready to get back, because there was so much more I had planned to do during my time off.

When you're in the business, you spend so much time with your work family helping other families in need that you have to put your own friends and family on the back burner. That is one of the main reasons why vacation time is so important to us that work in the business. I was so excited to get back from the trip because I was more than ready to spend time with my friends and family whom I haven't been able to do much with. I've been able to spend four days with my parents and family, spent an evening with my best friend (who I haven't laid eyes on in three months), spent a day antique shopping with my momma and was also able to go to a baby shower for one of my good friends. If anything can be learned from us who work in the business it's that time is precious, as well as family and the ones you love, because sadly death doesn't stop for anyone. So when you get the time, make the best of it and spend time with the ones you love.

Now it's Sunday, and the last day of my vacation. So what do I plan to do on my last day? Absolutely nothing. My plans consist of lounging in my beloved sweats, watch T.V. and maybe do a few little things around my apartment including laundry. Tomorrow morning I will wake up and not dread that it' s Monday like I usually do because honestly while the time off was great and much needed, I have missed working and doing what I love. Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday!

Pictured below is what I like to think of as our version of the Smokey Mountains right here in Eastern Kentucky. Appalachia is honestly beautiful and I'm so thankful I can call it my home.

The History of Bad Tom Smith and the Significance of Faith in Eastern Kentucky

For all those history buffs out there, I figured this would be a post that would spark some interest. It sure did mine when I had heard talk about "Bad Tom Smith" who is supposedly buried in Vicco, KY with a pretty interesting epitaph engraved on his headstone. So of course I had to make a stop to see for myself. After snapping some photos, I went to work on finding out a little more. From information I obtained through a reprint of the Louisville Courier Journal that was published on June 28, 1895, Tom Smith had quite a record that included wounding people in Perry County during election time, having the courthouse burnt down to destroy all documents of his crimes that he had previously committed in an attempt to not be tried for them, theft, and even murder. It was said that him along with his brother fled to Knott County, hid underneath a house, eventually taking another life before he was eventually caught. June 28, 1895 was the day that Tom Smith was hung, making it the first hanging to ever take place in Breathitt County.  There is so much more information pertaining to Bad Tom Smith if you wish to find out more on your own, but after thinking about his story, and seeing his epitaph on his headstone which says, "Bad Enough to Be Hanged, Not too Bad Enough for God to Save", it got me really thinking about how strong faith in Eastern Kentucky really is; something that I have a lot of myself and I'm proud to have.

Faith and religion is something that you see a lot of in the funeral business. That is one of the many reasons I love it so well. While I have my own beliefs and stand firm behind them, I find it very interesting to see how other people of different beliefs worship as well as enjoy taking a part in their funeral customs when someone beloved to them has passed away. After all, that is one of the main duties of our job in the funeral business; to help and accommodate the needs of the families we serve to best of our ability during one of the most difficult and trying times of their life. It is of great importance that we do this without letting our own judgement and beliefs prevent us from doing so. With that being said, I personally take that same practice and apply it outside of the work environment as well. Bad Tom Smith committed terrible crimes, but obviously kept his faith. He was aware of his actions, and confessed to many of his crimes minutes before his death. He had his own beliefs and made it quite clear and wanted everyone to know that by supposedly saying this: "

"Friends, one and all, I want to talk to you a little before I die. My last words on earth to you are to take warning from my fate. Bad whiskey and bad women have brought me where I am. I hope you ladies will take no umbrage at this, for I have told you the God's truth. To you, little children, who were the first to be blessed by Jesus, I will give this warning: Don't drink whiskey and don't do as I have done. I want everybody in this vast crowd who does not wish to do the things that I have done, and to put themselves in the place I now occupy, to hold their hands. It looks like what I shall see in Heaven. Again I say to you, take warning from my fate and live better lives than I have lived. I die with no hard feelings toward anybody. There ain't a soul in the world that I hate. I love everybody. Farewell, until we meet again."

                                                     -Bad Tom Smith

Eastern Kentucky is in the heart of what most call the "Bible Belt" but is also home to other religions as well. It is so great to see people come together regardless of their beliefs, so they can send a good farewell to one they have lost. A great lesson can be learned from Tom Smith which is: no matter what you have done, no matter how bad you or those around you may think you are, always have faith in something. I believe that everyone should have something to believe in, even at the darkest of times, no matter what it may be.    

If you are interested in learning more about Bad Tom Smith, below are the links that I used to obtain information for this piece.
 http://www.breathittcounty.com/BadTom.html
http://hazardkentucky.com/more/badtomsmith.htm

Wait, What? You're in the Funeral Business? No way!

With this being my first blog, I thought long and hard as to what I could make my first post about. I couldn't start this new experience off by not mentioning the reaction that I receive almost 99.9% of the time when people find out that my little 5'4 self works in the funeral business, as an apprentice embalmer and funeral director who will soon be licensed in the Bluegrass State. First comes the "the look" of shock, and sometimes uneasiness after I've told them my chosen profession. I've even had a man who came to hook up my cable tell me that I must be weird. With that being said, that is the main reason I decided to start this blog. I'm twenty five years old, and I've been working in the funeral business for going on four years now. Although its a profession that is not for everyone, it was one that was a calling for me; one that I knew that I was meant to do. I'm an avid UK Wildcat fan, vintage lover,  and one that cannot function without numerous cups of coffee in the morning to start my day. Oh, and I must mention that I am the proud momma of a very mischievous dachshund named Oscar. Now that doesn't make me seem so weird now does it? Most importantly, I'm proud to be a independent young woman from Eastern Kentucky who is working in a male dominated business. I look forward to sharing my thoughts and experiences with everyone, where hopefully I can change the many opinions like the cable man had of individuals who work in such a prestigious profession.