When I was a young boy growing up in the mountains, I often wondered why people called our home Eastern Kentucky instead of simply Kentucky. Back then, I didn’t understand why those two little words mattered. I thought Kentucky was Kentucky, no matter where you lived.
Now, as I approach my 68th birthday, I finally understand.
Eastern Kentucky is more than a place on a map. It is a way of life. It is the mountains that taught us resilience, the hollers that echoed with laughter, the front porches where stories were shared, and the churches that held our communities together. It is grandparents who passed down wisdom instead of wealth, neighbors who never waited to be asked before lending a hand, and families who found joy even when times were hard.
“Eastern Kentucky is more than a place on a map. It is a way of life.”
— Big John
I’ve come to realize that we were never called Eastern Kentucky because we were separated from the rest of the Commonwealth. We were called Eastern Kentucky because our mountains shaped us in a unique way. They gave us a rich heritage, a strong work ethic, deep faith, and a fierce loyalty to family and friends.
The older I become, the more grateful I am that I was raised here. The lessons I learned in these hills have guided me throughout my life. They taught me that a person’s character matters more than their possessions, that your word should be as good as your handshake, and that helping others is simply what neighbors do.
“Your word should be as good as your handshake, and helping others is simply what neighbors do.”
— Big John
When I was young, I wondered why we were called Eastern Kentucky.
Today, I no longer wonder.
Today, I am simply proud to say, “I’m from Eastern Kentucky.”
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Big John writes a regular column about mountain life, heritage, and the people who made Eastern Kentucky home.
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