One man's voice Thoughts, rants and commentary of a simple man

Happy Labor Day

Today is Labor Day in the United States, a day when Americans celebrate the working people, and our work in general, in our country. As is my usual, I would like to wish every working person in the world a happy Labor Day today.

Something that I do want to do different this year, however, is that I want to stress that labor in this country, or in any country for that matter, does not necessarily mean paid labor. There is plenty of work done around the world that is not done for someone that is paying you to do it. Like parenting. Or mothering, to be specific.

Most mothers are the real workers in their households, whether she is a single mom raising her family by herself or a working mom who rushes every morning to get the kids out of the house on time for school before heading to work or even a stay-at-home mom who tends the house and family during the day. And it is my opinion that of all the mothers that labor every day, without weekends or vacations or days off or bonuses or even thanks, the mothers that seem to be the hardest working yet most overlooked are the stay-at-home, homeschooling mom. To you I want to wish an enormous happy Labor Day. The work you do is hardly ever noticed and even less seldom recognized. But the work you do cannot even be described, let alone appreciated to its full value. You are the truest laborer there is.

And to my wife, who has been staying at home AND homeschooling our five kids since my oldest was four years old, I want to not only wish you a happy Labor Day but I also want to offer you a great big thank you for all the work you have done over the years and continue to do every day. It is not at all easy to do what you do (I know I'm not cut out for it, that's for sure). Your patience, kindness, grace and love are tested everyday, without thanks, without appreciation, without a pat on the back... but every day you stay in the fight. Every day you labor, intensely, to provide for our home. And though your work does not come with a paycheck it will someday come with a giant pay day. For your labor carries with it a return far greater than money. I just want you to know that without you our family would not be where it is today.

So today my wish is that we all enjoy our day off. May you rest, celebrate and take full advantage of your day to celebrate the work you do.