Labor Day

Flag at JFK Museum in Boston

 Happy Labor Day!

 

 It's a day to celebrate what American workers have achieved and added to our society today and through the years.

 

 I recall it being a big deal in Janesville.  

 

 The General Motors plant employed more than 4,000 people when I was young plus created many other jobs in the community.  Parker Pen was another big operation in Janesville in addition to dozens of other factories.

 

 Almost as long as humans have been on earth, we've worked. 

 

 By the sweat of your brow

    you will eat your food

until you return to the ground,

    since from it you were taken;

for dust you are

                                                         and to dust you will return. 

                                                                                         Genesis 3: 19 (Bible Gateway)

 

In the best situations, work is rewarding.  We enjoy our task and service we provide for others and use the earnings to take care of ourselves and our families.  

 

Before the industrial age, most people worked on the farm - raising livestock and crops.  There were jobs in town that supported farms or took what was grown and sent it on to non-farm consumers.

 

The Labor Movement in the late 19th century started workers on a path toward more humane treatment and conditions - shorter days, better pay, and got children out of the workplace (although kids still help out in family businesses and farms).

 

That movement created Labor Day in the late 1800s it became a Federal Holiday in 1894.

Of course, today is considered the last day of summer as kids return to school and the work-place takes on a different feel as workers with kids are done with most of their vacation.

However you celebrate Labor Day, I hope you relax, think how your vocation adds to joy to your life and others, and give thanks for having a job.  While jobs can sometimes be a pain, it is more painful to be without one.

Happy Labor Day!