Labor Day
September 6, 2010 
Somehow, last evening, our little family ended up frolicking at a nearby cemetery. We were out for a little joyride in the country, enjoying the cool evening, and decided we would stop at a country church we'd never been to before, and when we arrived, there was a cemetery on the grounds. And a swing set. So we hung out for a little while and enjoyed the peaceful sunset with all those resting there.
I don't go to cemeteries much, especially if I don't have to. But I do like them. My dad used to dig graves when I was a little girl, and I would go with him sometimes and play on the tombstones.
No disrespect.
It's just that there's not much for a little girl to keep herself busy with in a cemetery.
And if someday I ever have a tombstone of my own, I wouldn't mind at all if a little girl played upon it.
But getting back to my point... It seemed to be just so appropriate to find ourselves at a cemetery last night. As I walked along and looked at the names, it made me think of so many things...
How all those there had gone before, had worked to help our country be where it is today, to enjoy the freedoms and luxuries that we do.
How I hoped that all my work would someday make our country an even better place for all of our children.
How there have always been so many people who have never received thanks or recognition for their work; people who do the jobs that make life easier for the rest of us.
How my little girl is bottomless and peeing in the cemetery.
How we young mothers like me seldom have time to think about our ancestors or wander around cemeteries because it seems like someone always needs dressing, or grooming, or wiping, or hand-holding.
How young mothers like me, a few decades back, seldom had much help from their husbands with all of those tasks.
How young mothers like me, a few decades back, didn't have an internet 'community' of women to reach out to when their days were long and patience short.
How I must hurry up and get my little girl dressed before some other payer of respects pulls in the drive and poo-poos at me for letting my child pee-pee in the cemetery.
Deep thoughts, my friends. Deep thoughts.
In closing, I just wanted to say, have a wonderful Labor Day, and say 'thanks' to someone whose work makes a difference in your world. They deserve to know it.
Reader Comments (1)
Some very deep thoughts indeed.
I really love this line that you said though: "And if someday I ever have a tombstone of my own, I wouldn't mind at all if a little girl played upon it." Wonderful image!