Do we have any coal miners on the forum?

My friend Rocky is from WV, and his Dad was a Coal Miner. Rocky was the oldest child with 2 brothers and a sister. He said he remembers his Mom always waiting and watching for his Dad to come home every day, because she feared one day he might not. He says he will never forget his 18th birthday party because of his parents, especially his Dad. His Mom fixed his favorite meal and baked him a nice cake, and it just a great family get together. When he had finished his meal and piece of birthday cake, his Dad asked him if he enjoyed his meal and birthday cake? He told him yes, very much. He said his Dad then reached over and picked up Rocky's plate, walked to the trash can and broke the plate with a big spoon and threw it away. He then asked Rocky to promise him he would never step foot into a coal mine and to find other work even if he had to move away to do it. He said at first, he wondered what he did that made his Dad break the plate? Then, when he saw the tear welling up in his Dad's eye when he asked him to promise to never be a miner, he understood that the point of him breaking the plate was to urge him to get out on his own, away from where they lived where the only jobs were in a mine. His Dad did the same thing with his 2 brothers, and asked his sister if she wanted to worry over a husband working in a mine like their Mom had. When the last one moved out, he had enough time in to retire from the mine. He then did odd jobs and handyman work, and his parents did just fine. Long story if you made it this far, but along with what Steve told you, I hope it helps.