when I first started mining, I was told by several people that underground we're like a family, because we have no one else but each other and the first aider is a person who has to be strong and like a leader and a protector since everyone else's lives are in our hands. At first I took this is basically propaganda to make me feel more like working there, like what I was doing was important, but as time went on I realized it was true we are like a family.
When we're working in the industry with one of the highest fatality rates in the world everyone depends on everyone else so we have to stay tight knit, each crew is like a family, and since I've been on every crew I have gained a lot of brothers while working here.
I remember the first crew I was on, several people took me under their wing, Alec, Al, and Iouri. Al showed me where all the first aid stuff was since he was the senior first aider on the crew and made me feel welcome. Alec basically showed me the basics so I could figure out what to do and kept an eye out for me. Iouri, Irouri became like a second father to me, I love that man, always in the dog work with the 'new guy' right by my side never stopping working and joking the entire time. I miss Iouri but I honestly hope he doesn't come back, he's stronger than the mountain in my opinion, but with his supervisor he gets hurt way to much, when you've been mining for almost twice the years I've been alive you have to know when to call it quits.
I've seen that the Phillipino's are an even tighter knit community amongst the family, one which somehow I've found myself a part of and it makes my heart a lot lighter to know they trust me as much as they do. Whenever they need something they ask me to talk to the guy from stores when we're topside, and sometimes even though they're not supposed to the store guys give me stuff for free, probably because I've worked with them. I've gone to their events, and I helped a few of my crew to their their homes through satellite imaging.
The look on Norway's face when he saw the roof of his house almost tore my heart apart. That kind of sad smile as he reached out to the screen, I don't know how these men can do what they do. Not being able to see your family for years, with the possibility of never seeing them again. Working yourself to the bone to provide for those you love that are half a world away. It must tear them apart inside to come home and not be able to hold your wife or children, to realize that you might never hold them again, that's probably why they like to go out, and force themselves to be happy.
When things got dangerous for a while most of my friends and family begged me to quit, but I just couldn't, I doubt I could live with myself if I left these men without someone to look out for them. I'd always think of myself as a coward, as a person who ran while others stayed until the end. I couldn't abandon these men, who put their faith in me no more then I could ask them to do something I myself wouldn't do.
In the end we're all one big family, each with our roles to play, each person looking out for the other, and I'll not be the one to leave my brothers in the lurch. I hope and pray that each and everyone one of them can make it home safely to be with their families, their wifes and their children that they never get to see grow up. Could I do the same? Could I leave an infant, then return when their four, then come back again when they're a teenager? Their children are newborns going on twenty in their eyes, and that must be the thing that hurts the most. Any parent would want to see their child grow, yet these men are unable to due to the job that they have.
Well I'm going to end this entry here, it's sunny outside and I plan on going out and enjoying it since us guys that work underground almost never see the light of day. Haha even through blinds it's kinda stinging my eyes a bit, it's time for me to rediscover sunlight and the warmth it gives. Any of my new fo
Unknown "Kurobikari" Content
- 16 years, 2 months, 19 days ago
