Happy Labor Day all my fellow Americans. In honor of all the hard-working Americans, we get today off. Sort of. Over the years, I and about 27 billion other people have posted the origin of Labor Day, to honor the labor unions’ strength and importance to American society. And there was that big parade in 1892 when 10,000 people took part in that seemed like a good thing to do every year. In 1894 President Grover Cleveland agreed and made it a national holiday. Also over the years, I’ve posted a list of all the people who don’t get Labor Day off.
Of the obvious ones who will be at work regardless of the color of the date on the calendar are police, fire, and emergency medical professionals. These are followed by the ones who get the “oh yeah” response, like military personal and hospital workers.
And there are those who few people think about like the people on live radio and television, the folks at the gas station you stop at on the way home from the beach, the people who work at the movie theater when you need something to do because the day at the beach got rained out, mostly everyone at the airport and train station although there are fewer jobs than there used to be (anyone remember “Red Caps”) and the pilots and engineers who get travelers to those places, the toll collectors on the roads and bridges that haven’t switched to EZPass or similar people-free-tolling systems, and the desk, maintenance and housekeeping personnel at the resort (oh, and don’t forget the lifeguards) you were at this weekend, unless you are one of the 10 million people working in the retail sector. Then you never get a holiday off.
Little by little, fewer and fewer hard-working Americans get time off from their work to celebrate our national holidays. In fact, about the only time a hard-working American is recognized is when a politician makes an empty promise to stand with the hard-working American.
Fortunately, we have us, and the blogosphere will be packed with sentiments wishing everyone a Happy Labor Day today, and some might even offer tips on making a memorable holiday picnic with only refrigerator and pantry staples. If you happen to notice you are missing an ingredient, that’s okay. You can always run to the store to get it. They will be somebody working hard there today.
And as long as you’re going, don’t forget to check out all the Labor Day sales!
Life comes at us every day and no, you’re not going to like every minute of it. Enjoy what you do like about it. Learn from what you don’t. Find your enthusiasm. Encourage a friend. Love yourself. Grow from it all. And read all about in the latest Uplift post, Find Your Enthusiasm.
The Real Reality Show Blog 
Wow, my friend, you nailed this one! Fewer and fewer people are getting the time off to celebrate federal holidays–I was stunned when trash collectors came by early this morning. Showing gratitude to those who have to work today is an awesome attitude to have–and those are typically the ones that get overlooked in general. And don’t get me started on the empty promises of politicians who talk to hear themselves speak. Your ability to clearly express truth is a gift you give others. Thanks for this.
Wow! I have yet to hear of a town around here doing trash pickup on any holiday, let alone Labor Day. It doesn’t surprise me though. So often, a day off at the beginning of the week simply means you’re expected to work on Saturday to make up for it.”
I remember the day when stores…and so many other things were ‘all closed up’ for holidays. I like your thought about staying home, doing without, rather than running to the grocery for one random ingredient on a day that should be symbolic of workers…working less. Make do! Get creative! 🥰
I remember them closed on Sundays too and Saturdays were either short hours or essential staff only. Then a three day holiday weekend really was … wait for it … a 3 day weekend!
Right! Right! 😉