Naoma , West Virginia ( CNN ) -- Staking out for news at the site of the mine explosion here , I remembered what I miss most about Appalachia -- the people . Their stories are what drew me up here in 2006 as a correspondent for the Associated Press . Their hardships , struggles , passions , faith and quirks shaped hard-hitting stories about a region that few give much thought to these days . I covered a mine disaster back then , too -- the explosion at Kentucky Darby Mine No . 1 that killed five coal miners -- and found myself marveling at the strength of the families and the community . And , despite their pain , they were hospitable , allowing a green reporter without a signal to use their living room phone , rest on their front steps and ask a few questions about their fears and worries . I left after more than two years of sharing their stories , and hoped to return someday to catch up with my mountain neighbors and the families who allowed me to walk into their homes and share their lives with the world . Instead , I returned for tragedy . Not much has changed this time around as I help cover the latest disaster for CNN -- this time four miners unaccounted for and at least 25 dead . I 'm still amazed by the teachers who have allowed us reporters to use their classrooms as impromptu work areas , the nearby residents who insist on making sure we eat during the long days , the miners who bravely re-enter the mines just a day after losing some of their closest friends , and the victims ' families , who remain patient as they wait for news . I do n't know how they do it , how they stay so composed , so strong in the face of such a horrific disaster felt miles away . And through it all , they accept our presence with a dignified grace . I ca n't imagine them handling it any other way .
Samira J. Simone 's Samira J. Simone reflects on the toughness and hospitality of mining families . Samira J. Simone covered a mining disaster in this week , and reported 2006 from West Virginia . Not much has changed ; the people of Appalachia are as kind as they are tough , she writes .