A memoir from the West Virginia hills

West Virginia
Mountain Maw Maw

For a simple country girl, Brenda has had the opportunity to see things most people only dream about. She describes her life as a series of ups and downs.

From the West Virginia hills she has traveled to three different countries and experienced heartaches and happiness along the way. Her easy way of story-telling makes the reader feel that they, too, are sharing her life.

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West Virginia Mountain Maw Maw book cover: a woman in a rocking chair looking out over misty hills at sunrise
Non-fiction · a true story
Where it starts

A hollow in West Virginia, a big family, and a childhood measured in seasons.

Where it goes

Three countries, a working life, and the heartaches and happiness in between.

How it’s told

Plainly and warmly, the way a maw maw tells it on the porch.

Traditional · Ellen King, 1885

The West Virginia Hills

Oh, the West Virginia hills! How majestic and how grand,
With their summits bathed in glory, Like our Prince Immanuel’s Land!
Is it any wonder then, That my heart with rapture thrills,
As I stand once more with loved ones On those West Virginia hills?

Oh, the hills, beautiful hills, How I love those West Virginia hills!
If o’er sea o’er land I roam, Still I’ll think of happy home,
And my friends among the West Virginia hills.

Oh, the West Virginia hills! Where my childhood hours were passed,
Where I often wandered lonely, And the future tried to cast;
Many are our visions bright, Which the future ne’er fulfills;
But how sunny were my daydreams On those West Virginia hills!

Oh, the West Virginia hills! How unchanged they seem to stand,
With their summits pointed skyward To the Great Almighty’s Land!
Many changes I can see, Which my heart with sadness fills;
But no changes can be noticed In those West Virginia hills.

Oh, the West Virginia hills! I must bid you now adieu.
In my home beyond the mountains I shall ever dream of you;
In the evening time of life, If my Father only wills,
I shall still behold the vision Of those West Virginia hills!

What readers are saying
“I loved it. It was quite delightful. Come to find out, our families have a lot in common. My parents are from Estill Co. in Kentucky. I had two Mountain Maw Maws and I loved them both dearly.” NS, Lexington, KY

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The whole book is yours to download, with no charge and no account. Pass it along to anyone who had a maw maw in the hills.

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Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my…

  • Writing Consultant Russell Rice
  • Clerical Assistant Danny Breeden
  • Technical Advisor Sean Breeden

I would like to also thank all of my family and friends without whom this book would not be possible.

— Brenda Breeden