Yodi and I decided it was time for a new entry in our blog. Sadie...the new junior partner is still cutting her reporting teeth so it will be awhile before we enjoin her opinion on these pages. Sadie is a blogger "apprentice", laboring away in the background while her "journeyman" partners take full advantage of any ideas or musing she whispers in the background. Speaking of "labor"...today is the eve of Labor Day her in the good old USA.
"Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country," said Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor. "All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day...is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation."
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, expend even more effort and purpose of prosperity, and well-being of our country......
For those of us who have put the lunch pail aside in favor of retirement and a new focus on life, a question comes to mind. Should we end the quest for social achievments at the moment the well worn pail of our previous productive life is relegated to the top shelf in the closet? Or are we freed up to expend even more effort towards social issues?
The "retired" should rightfully be proud of all they acomplished during the time of their life where goals were concentrated on the job or career. One hopes that they left the work force having given the fair measure of toil..and a bit more. The majority do and I feel the holiday rests on their backs for all to enjoy.
But lets not forget the social achievments experienced by this genrations workers. The men and women who were the scout leaders, community volunteers, who made up the civic clubs and organizations. Or volunteered at the hospice or worked the food bank. Who ran the grass roots political campaigns, ushered the church services, assisted at Mass, coached the pop warner leagues, went door to door for the March of dimes......etc.
Labor day is for remembering this unselfish labor born of the heart not of the pocket book as well.
Yodi, Sadie, and I thank you all for the contributions of your work life. The young just starting and the old who have finished. May our gracious Lord bless you for all your deeds.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
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