Labor Day is Not the Fourth of July

 

Labor Day is Not the Fourth of July

Come on guys, what’s up with all the American flags and NOT ONE Labor Day flag. Except mine. I remind you that this is a day to honor workers, not only in the US, but also Canada. My flag is Rosie the Riveter, flexing her bicep and holding a wrench. Yay! I can honor labor and ……….. make a feminist statement! My heart sings!

From the time I was 12, I, being the oldest of 4, was given a lot of responsibility, but more than a lot of work. Think indentured servant – no pay.

My work history started when I was 16. I had been baby sitting for years and the father in one of the families I sat for was a member of the local junior chamber of commerce and asked if I could fill in for the secretary for her 2 week vacation. YES! I could! Happily!

I was excited to dress up and take the bus downtown. I can’t remember what I was wearing, but I know I wore high heels. The office was lovely, and the job was easy. I was to answer the phone and be pleasant to people who came in, not difficult because the people coming in were mainly nice looking, nicely dressed young men. Men on the way up. Wow! This was better than changing diapers and ….. I got paid!

One of the men got me a job at the Milwaukee Sentinel for the rest of the summer in the library working with other young people and one poor, put upon ancient woman who had to direct us. In reality, she was probably under 40 and actually very pretty and pleasant. Another fun place to be and again…………… I was paid for this.

Now, you’ve heard about my first job. It’s time to share my worst job. Refer back to the blog titled, Three’s a Crowd where I describe having my husband’s secretary (and girlfriend it turns out) for dinner. My intuition was correct, my marriage was soon to be over, my financial situation was dire. My sons and I went from living the “Donna Reed Show” to “Bad Boys”. The stay at home mom goes to work and nothing would ever be the same again. We begin the genteel poverty era.

Worst job will be posted next week.

Henry’s critique - this actually made me cry. I think she may be improving.