Looking back on where we each get our work ethic I can credit my family...my mother and my dear great Aunt Louise probably have had the most influence on me personally. The reason I am writing this today though is because of my mother...It is her birthday today. She didn't live a long life but she definately packed alot of living in to a life.
Mom was born in 1932 during the Great Depression as our nation was in the most difficult of financial times. Her early family life was spent in the thros of World War 2. Moms frugal nature (OK sisters, don't yell CHEAP all at once LOL) made us crazy and it also helped us to know how to stretch our dollars. History and her family life shaped and defined her as it also has shaped me. So much of what I am today comes from the things my Mother and Great Aunt taught me...sometimes those things were examples in life I chose not to emulate but mostly a great joy and love of family, passion for kindness and desire to have something meaningful to "work" at. Nanas favorite phrases always started with "You go to work and...."
My mother always talked of retirement but her life was tied to work. I was never confident she would actually retire. Oddly even in the weeks preceeding her death her days were filled with her work BUT she loved to take time for parties and celebrations. Holidays were spent at the lake, at the beach, sometimes having a BBQ or Potluck. She taught us how to work AND how to play. If she were alive I am guessing she would have been having a pool party with her favorite friends, family and of course her beer. In honor of you MOM...Happy Birthday and for everyone else enjoy a happy and safe Labor Day.
