Memory…
Labor Day 
came and passed with not even a picnic 
… at least not for me…
My Dad’s birthday 
was September 1, and he would have been 105 years old this past Saturday…
He has already passed… leaving behind memories of wonderful chidlhood days 
for me…
That’s wonderful to me!
Right before his last birthday hear on Earth… I had taken him to get his hair cut 
… renew his driver’s liscense 
… even though Mom was sure he would not drive any more…
My thoughts were…”Let him hope!”…”Don’t take that from him!”…
After our errands were run… I left, with him sitting in the swing on the front porch 
of the wonderful home he had built for us with his own two hands…
Every board… nail… screw… pipe… concrete work had his handprints 
on it!…
Less than a week later he was gone… The many heart attacks 
he had… finally took him…
He passed with my Mom by his side… watching his favorite sport… baseball 
… at home…
He was only 72 years old… Too young according to figures now… But, we never know our time…
Labor Day brings back memories of many picnics 
… family get-togethers… The yard full of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Brothers, Sisters, Friends, Neighbors and whoever else my Dad had invited 
… Tables and chairs under the trees my Dad and Mom had planted
… Food prepared by my Mom and every one bringing a dish 
… cold drinks ready… for an afternoon of ball playing, horseshoes 
, croquet 
or badminton 
…
Ladies sitting and talking… observing the kids and bandaiding a few knees or arms
… from playing so hard in the creek than ran in the backyard 
…
My ears can still bring back all of the chatter… the laughing… the voices praising the good food…
and then the good byes… as people started packing up their chairs and containers of leftovers…
The kids so tired from catching lightning bugs 
after dusk had come… that many had to be carried to the cars…
It was a joyous time!… and it seemed as though 
celebrations were just meant to be for my Dad’s Birthday…
I remember asking, “What is Labor Day?”
My Mom explained it like this…
“It’s for people like your Dad who work so hard all year to make money for their families… To be able to provide food, clothing and a nice home 
… It’s a day of rest… to celebrate their labors”…
Rest well Daddy!
Related articles
- The History of Labor Day (dol.gov)
- Labor Day, How it Came About and What it Means (clarksvilleonline.com)
- Happy Labor Day – Picnic (1955) (homeprojectionist.com)
MKG- Memories-Keepsakes-Gifts 