Today is Labor Day. As a society, we tend to use this day for one last summer excursion, one last three day weekend of parties and socials, and one last big shopping trip before school gets in full swing. Unfortunately for many of us, work continues as usual and we don’t have a day to cease from our labor.
Labor Day is dedicated “to the achievements of the American workers…to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” Although this primarily speaks to the labor force in public life, I’m thinking today about those who are laboring behind the scenes in private life.
I know that we have a day to recognize mothers and another day for fathers, but I wish there was a day to recognize caregivers – especially those who are not family by blood, but who become family over time. In so many homes, nannies or au pairs are caregivers for small children and assist in the homes. Many of us employ people to care for our homes or to instruct older children.
Without these “quiet laborers,” I think much of the public labor couldn’t happen. Even for those who are able to split their work week to telecommute depend on others to keep their private world going. The dog walkers, the private shoppers, the yard maintenance company: these are the glue jobs, the practically invisible ones who allow the banker, teacher, doctor, electrical line worker, lawyer, insurance agent, soldier, store managers, and so many others to continue their day jobs.
Today I’m thinking about how different our personal, private lives would be without our caregivers. The Bunn family responsibilities would be much different without Laverne, Clara, Jean and Tammy. These women care primarily for Mom, but also watch over Dad, me, and the house. They protect us, clean up after us, feed us, and love us. We couldn’t keep Mom at home without them.
Mom was always a hard worker. She stayed home and took care of her children; a full-time mother. She made all four of us learn the value of hard work, too. These verses were part of our training:
Colossians 3:23 (NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV) Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.
Psalm 128:2 (NIV) You shall eat the fruit of the labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
Teaching their children how to work hard was important to Mom and Dad. We had chores and responsibilities that came before fun and games. They made us plan for our education and hone our talents. We worked jobs out in the community all through school and were ready for the work force when the time came. I halfway jest when I say that I am a functioning member of society only because Mom made me do it. I think I could have been quite a loose cannon without parents who enforced such a strong structure into my life.
As we celebrate this Labor Day as a community and a country, let’s remember not only those who have labored before us, but those who taught us the importance of labor, and those who labor with us, both in public and in private.
