Appalachian Song

 I love reading a book where the characters become so vivid and real that I forget they are fictional. I find myself so deeply drawn into their lives that I think about them even after I’ve closed the book. That’s exactly how I feel about Appalachian Song.

I’ve come to know Bertie and her sisters, felt the sorrow in Songbird’s tragic life, and joined Reese and Walker as they embark on their unfolding adventure. With every turn of the page, I feel as though I’m walking alongside them, sharing in their joys and heartaches. These characters have become dear companions—new friends I’m eager to know more deeply.

When I reach the final page, I know I’ll miss them. Their stories will linger in my heart, and I’ll carry them with me long after the book is closed.

DEEP IN THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS

TENNESSEE JUNE 15, 1943

A gunshot pierced the morning stillness of the holler.  Ol' Clem commenced to barking up at the house, sending a flock of sparrows fluttering to the safety of a stand of blooming tulip poplars.

The midwives of Appalachia in the 20th century were remarkable women who played a vital role in rural health care—especially in isolated, mountainous communities where doctors were scarce and hospitals were often hours away.

🌿 Who Were the Appalachian Midwives?

Appalachian midwives were mostly women, often older, deeply rooted in their communities. Many learned their craft through apprenticeships, tradition, and personal experience, rather than formal schooling. These "granny midwives" were respected for their knowledge of childbirth, herbal remedies, and healing.

👶 What Did They Do?

They:

Delivered babies in homes, often under very humble conditions.

Gave prenatal care and emotional support to expectant mothers.

Used herbal medicine and folk remedies passed down through generations.

Sometimes served as healers, counselors, and even spiritual guides.

The girl seemed to process the information.  After a long moment, she asked, "What's that got to do with God?

⛰️ Life and Work in the Mountains

Midwifery in Appalachia wasn't easy:

Midwives often walked long distances, sometimes in the dark or through snow, to reach a laboring mother.

They worked without electricity, running water, or medical equipment.

Their fees were small—sometimes paid in eggs, quilts, or vegetables.

📜 Legal and Medical Challenges

In the early to mid-1900s, states began regulating midwifery, requiring licenses or medical training. This pushed many traditional midwives out of practice. Hospitals became more common, and births moved from homes to clinics, particularly by the 1950s and '60s.

However, midwives remained critical in areas where healthcare access lagged behind. In fact, during the Great Depression and WWII, their role became even more essential due to limited resources.

"They say when a baby takes its first breath," Rubie said, her voice full of reverence, "the little one is declaring the very name of God."

🌸 Legacy

Today, the work of Appalachian midwives is honored for its compassion, resilience, and deep connection to community. Some modern midwives and nurse-midwives draw inspiration from them, combining traditional knowledge with medical training.

Movement next to him brought his eyes open.  Rubie sat in the chair beside him and placed a worn Bible on the table.  "It could be a while fore the little one arrives," she said, turning pages.  "I always think of Psalm 139 when a babe is on the way."

FROM THE BACK COVER:

Bertie Jenkins has spent forty years serving as a midwife for her community in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.  Out of all the mothers she's tended, none affects her more that the young teenager who shows up on her doorstep, injured, afraid, and expecting, one warm June day in 1943.  As Bertie and her four sisters tenderly nurture Songbird back to health, the bond between the childless midwife and the motherless teen grows strong.  But soon Songbird is forced to make a heartbreaking decision that will tear this little family apart.

June 12, 2025 - 7:15pm - The Last Page is read and the book is closed. {{sigh}}

Goodbye

Reese

Goodbye

Walker

Goodbye

Bertie

Goodbye

 Songbird

Blessings to All

Until Next Time

Mary