As we celebrate Labor Day today, I am also taking some time to reflect upon my mom and dad's wedding anniversary. It would be 74 years today. My dad died more than 22 years ago. My mom has been gone now just a little over ten months. This is the first time in years when I have not heard the question on September 5, from my mom, "Do you know what today is?" It is hard to believe that she marked the day without dad for more than twenty years.
Dad was in good health when they celebrated their 50th anniversary. We had no idea that just a year and five months later he would no longer be with us. The photographs have faded with time; my brothers have aged significantly since then; time marches on. (It's my blog. I can't help it if I need to point out the aging of my brothers while I stay young and dapper.)
Today is a day of gratitude. On this Labor Day I am thankful that I am healthy enough, strong enough, and fortunate enough to have a job that I enjoy and that provides for my family. Let us take a moment today to pray for all of those who are unemployed or underemployed. Let us pray for all those working in awful conditions. Let us pray for those trapped in human trafficking and forced into labor, especially those coerced into sexual slavery. Let us not take for granted the blessings we have received. May we utilize our resources to help those less fortunate than ourselves!
I am grateful for the precious gift of family--starting with my mom and dad. As I looked at the photo above I was quietly reflecting that just six years prior to that celebration I was fighting for my life going through chemotherapy treatments. Over a four month period my mom and dad sat at the hospital with me for 52 says. I know that wasn't how they planned to spend their retirement.
I don't know whether Margaret and I will make it to 50 years or not--only because we were older when we got married. We will take it a day at a time and see what happens. As for today, I simply remember my mom and dad and say, "HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!"
Dad was in good health when they celebrated their 50th anniversary. We had no idea that just a year and five months later he would no longer be with us. The photographs have faded with time; my brothers have aged significantly since then; time marches on. (It's my blog. I can't help it if I need to point out the aging of my brothers while I stay young and dapper.)
Today is a day of gratitude. On this Labor Day I am thankful that I am healthy enough, strong enough, and fortunate enough to have a job that I enjoy and that provides for my family. Let us take a moment today to pray for all of those who are unemployed or underemployed. Let us pray for all those working in awful conditions. Let us pray for those trapped in human trafficking and forced into labor, especially those coerced into sexual slavery. Let us not take for granted the blessings we have received. May we utilize our resources to help those less fortunate than ourselves!
I am grateful for the precious gift of family--starting with my mom and dad. As I looked at the photo above I was quietly reflecting that just six years prior to that celebration I was fighting for my life going through chemotherapy treatments. Over a four month period my mom and dad sat at the hospital with me for 52 says. I know that wasn't how they planned to spend their retirement.
I don't know whether Margaret and I will make it to 50 years or not--only because we were older when we got married. We will take it a day at a time and see what happens. As for today, I simply remember my mom and dad and say, "HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!"
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