Opal J. Hart

09/25/2025

My heart is so full today, while also breaking a little.

Over the weekend, my mom came to visit and told me she’d been interviewed by the Pocahontas Times and that she was being honored with a plaque from the FRN (Family Resource Network) for everything she’s done.

I looked at her, confused, and asked, “What for?”

And she said softly, “For doing what I do. I finished the courses of the grandparents program.”

Honestly, we laughed a little bit about it, but the conversation we had was much deeper than that. I can tell you personally, she didn’t do any of this looking for recognition.

Does the sentiment hit? Absolutely.

She deserves that plaque for finishing the courses, she did her work!
But even more than that, she deserves peace, support, and the kind of recognition that doesn’t always come with ceremonies, but shows up in daily life.

I’ve watched her and my dad go through so much over the years. Some of it quietly, some of it painfully. And yet, they still made room in their house and in their hearts.

They never turned their backs.
They chose family. Again and again.

They raised their own children, and then started over.
This wasn’t the first time they’d stepped in to help with grandkids either… but this time hit differently.
They watched one chapter close, only to step right back into diapers, midnight feedings, and teacher meetings for the older ones.

And not once did they give up.

Let me be clear,
That doesn’t mean there haven’t been hard days.
There have been plenty. Days where they needed to vent, cry, or just breathe.
As human beings, they deserve that. We all do.

Venting is not weakness.
Venting is not quitting.

The difference is, they still chose love. They still chose family. They didn’t put themselves above the need.They made room for it. That’s not an easy thing to do. It’s more than some may be able to say they’ve done.

I don’t say that to judge anyone, only to honor the ones who keep showing up.

After I moved out, got married, and had children of my own, I told my parents something I believe to this day:

“At some point, we are all responsible for our own choices. The blame game only goes so far.”
(And my parents know exactly what I mean here.)

What matters is how you respond when life throws you a redirection.
My parents chose to keep our family in our family. They did their part to acheive this.

That kind of love is rare.

But I believe there are many grandparents out there doing the same thing. Quietly. Sacrificially. And they need a village too.
They need support. They need places like the FRN.

I’m beyond proud of my mom. And I’m deeply moved by what she represents.

She’s someone who volunteers her time, opens her door again and again, and loves fiercely and fully without ever expecting the spotlight.

Now, for those who know my mother… let’s be honest, she’s not always quiet. 😂
She speaks her mind. She’ll tell you what’s what.

But I’m talking about what happens behind closed doors.
The woman I get to talk to. The one who helped raise me.
(And yes, I say that with love, because I’m my father’s daughter too.)
The woman who keeps showing up even when no one’s looking.

That’s the kind of woman I get to look up to and I’m so lucky to call her my momma. 💗

Congratulations on being the first to graduate from the Grandparents Program!! 💕💕🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💕💕
📰 Read the article here:
https://pocahontastimes.com/grandparents-step-into-the-breach/?fbclid=IwZnRzaANCSXtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHifu2_8cr4Kw-pJlmeKzgiUWkhNfLxpzPT22JTYcZCGeuG9KRpv0S2ZPaA5r_aem_oioC9SMpfyNZxH1sfXBhCQuse

Laura Dean Bennett Staff Writer The joy of being a grandparent can turn to anguish when concern for the health and safety of the grandchildren requires them to assume the role of parenting those children. Families across the country have been increasingly fractured by a combination of daunting force...

09/22/2025

I’ve been quiet on here for a while — mostly because I’ve been growing, reworking, and rediscovering what really lights me up.

One of the things I’ve always loved (even as a teenager working at the local paper) is giving advice — the heartfelt kind. The kind that comes from experience, not a textbook.

So I’m starting something new… something personal:

🌿 Mountain Momma Wisdom
A weekly post from me — sharing answers, thoughts, and comfort for the real stuff we face as women, moms, dreamers, and just… humans.

If you have a question — about anything at all — you can send it anonymously (or with your name) to:
📬 [email protected]

Nothing is too small or silly.
Life, love, burnout, confidence, purpose, loss, starting over — we all go through it.

I don’t have all the answers, but I have a big heart, a lot of lived wisdom, and a little sass. I’d be honored to walk beside you.

💗 First official post coming soon.
(And no worries — your name won’t be shared unless you ask for it to be.)

If this speaks to you, feel free to like or share so more folks can find it. 🌲

05/21/2025

Some days, my mind tries to psych me out.
Tells me it’s all been done.
That the world doesn’t need another fae story.
That maybe I’m too Appalachian. Too intense. Too unpolished.

But this—
this is why I write.

To remind this genre where it came from:
dark woods, rooted hills, old ways, sacred rage.

I’m writing stories for the girls who survived the silence.
Who carry grief like a weapon.
Who still believe love can be gentle—even when the world isn’t.

This world I’m building?
It’s not clean.
It’s not polished.

But it’s real.
And it’s yours, if you want it.

This is about my upcoming romantasy saga, The Veil Between Vows. Whether I walk this path independently or with the right publishing partner, I promise—this story will find its way to you.

With heart,
Opal Judith Hart

12/10/2024

If you’ve ever been in a violent or abusive situation, what was something a friend or someone special did that helped you begin to love life again when you thought you couldn’t? Was it a quiet, consistent support? A small, sweet gesture? Or maybe a moment when everything just clicked and you started to trust yourself—and others—again?

If it’s a moment of an unconventional situation, I get that too because that is what clicked for me.

I know this can be a deeply sensitive topic, and if it feels too heavy to share publicly, my inbox is always open. Or feel free to skip this altogether. I completely understand and personally know the weight of this question.

Your stories—if you’re comfortable sharing—help inspire the kind of characters and moments I hope to bring to life in my writing.

11/11/2024

How do you eat your ice cream cake? Do you enjoy all of it or do you deconstruct it, then eat your least favorite to most favorite part of it?
I think you all can see my choice 😅

11/09/2024

Anyone else watched The Goosebump series from VCHS tapes when you were younger?
😎 Cool, we can be friends!

11/08/2024

My dad is a third-generation logger, and my family’s roots run deep in , stretching back to before this land was called America. Storytelling is in our blood, though most of my family shares tales through word of mouth, while I prefer to capture them in writing. Because of this, my novel weaves in pieces of family history alongside legends and cryptids I grew up hearing.

As a child, I was convinced the woods around our home were inhabited by “little people” who might sn**ch me if I wandered too far into the woods. Looking back, I know it was just my grandfather and dad’s way of keeping my brothers and me out of the woods without supervision due to the wildlife, but back then, I was completely taken in by their stories! Another tale I remember is of the Abbagoochie, supposedly released in the ’70s to hunt snakes but instead going after farm animals.
It’s funny how these childhood legends stick with you, and you may just see some of their influence in my book as well.
Does your family share any similar stories as well about the , or maybe even ?

11/07/2024

What is your favorite book this season?