Worker bee gathering pollen to take back to the hive, Littleton, CO, USA
He became predominately deaf from a childhood illness, lost his father at age five, was forced to leave school and become a full-time worker in sixth grade, and left home and lived on his own at age 13. He held two to three jobs for most of his life and died at the age of 41 from brain cancer. I am blessed to have called him my father. Reflecting on workers over the past Labor Day holiday I could not help but think of dad.
Dad was a model for the working person. Why you might ask?
Dad worked hard, very, very hard. In order to meet the needs of our family, after working his normal day job, dad took up jobs painting houses, putting in sprinkler systems and landscaping. Often my brother and I would join dad. We worked long, hard hours and dad was a stickler for perfection. Although working hard and doing a job well are very admirable qualities, calling dad the hardest or best worker I have ever met, would not properly reflect who dad was as a worker.
Dad was our baseball coach and football manager. Despite the long tiring days of work, each week mom and dad dedicated an evening to go square dancing. Dad also took the time to develop a unique bond with my sister using their shared love of nature and dogs. If that was not enough, whenever we had a spare moment dad immersed us all in the love of nature by taking us camping, hiking, hunting and fishing.
Dad understood the need for love to be shared. Grandparents, aunts and uncles and family friends all were all invited to join us in large celebrations for the holidays and birthdays.
What motivated dad to work so hard, to give so much, to accomplish the impossible? Love. Dad simply wanted mom and us kids to experience something that he missed as a kid. Love. Dad knew that properly oriented work had only one purpose, one goal, and that was to love.
“Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.” (Jesus from the Sermon on the Plain, Luke 6:38)
Dad loved and was loved, by family and friends. What better life can you have than that?
#anaturewalkwithGod #Worka4LetterWord