Monday, September 6, 2021

Word for the Week

 

Definition of Labor:  work hard; make great effort."they labored from dawn to dusk"
 
My grandpa was prominent in my life.
He was like a father to me, so having lived with him as a young child I remember him trudging home each evening quite dusty and tired from the apple orchard. He would find a beer in the frig, sit for awhile in his rocker, then head to his desk to do paperwork and smoke his pipe. He labored quite peacefully surrounded by his apple trees and bee hives.
 
As a single mom, my mother labored with joy at being mother to myself and my younger sister. She also found small jobs struggling to put food on our table and a roof over our head. Her dream was to be a mom and wife, but reality was that she must also work in an office each day.
 
This morning as I was thinking about what word to share I realized it was Labor Day here in the US.
 Beside thinking of laboring on a job I thought as women that have had babies we worked hard to bring forth that child. It was a great effort with much reward, but at sometimes unsung heroes.
 Beside bringing forth a baby, maybe we labored at a piece of art or a beautiful home cooked meal.
 
My grandpa out in the orchard and packing house always had time to say hello to a grandchild.

When I asked my "live-in gardener" what he thinks of when considering the word labor he said "labor unions". His father was a dedicated labor union man and he constantly honored and talked of the hard working men around him.
 
Of course we are honoring all those that work hard in the work place; but there are so many ways of laboring. What can you think of?
 
No pretty, colorful pictures today. I am thinking of those that have come before us and labored to make our country what it is today. Yes. it has it's problems, but we shall grow on the shoulders of those that have labored.
 
Happy Labor Day!
Have a terrific week! 

4 comments:

R's Rue said...

What a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing. Hugs.
www.rsrue.blogspot.com

Jeanie said...

I love all these photos. You have your mom's smile. What a beautiful woman. This is such a lovely, thoughtful post.

When I think of labor, I think of hard work, usually outdoors. Or heavy work. And not necessarily work you love but must do. But I realize that is a very narrow definition and that despite loving what I did for my work, it was at times indeed labor!

Mary said...

Wonderful b/w photos Marilyn - your mom was beautiful.
Our mothers really knew the meaning of hard work compared to many today who have it a lot easier when it comes to being assisted. There was no help in England after WW2 regarding welfare or govt. handouts - people, women and men, worked several jobs as my parents did, and we children grew up understanding you only got what you worked. . . . .which made us better, stronger, grateful citizens.
Mary x

Red Rose Alley said...

Treasured old photos of your Grandpa and Mom. I love the old black and white photos. When I see them, I always wonder about their story. Yes, our ancestors labored greatly, and I appreciate them making a way before us and preparing us for the long road ahead. Your Mom looks lovely in this photo, and she sounds like she had strong character.

~Sheri