I remember the first time my grandfather took us to his office.  Gramps was a typesetter for the Chicago Tribune.  He was incredibly proud of what he did and the men in his office. 

This was the old typeset- the metal letters 'set' into the forms which would print the next day's news.  The men sat at their elevated desks with row upon row of metal letters arrayed above them.  Their movement in setting the type was as graceful as anything Nureyev ever offered.

Gramps also belonged to the Union and proudly wore his union pin.  It was attached to his suit lapel when he was laid in his casket for burial.  He was part of what then was known as Labor. We still hear that term today as in, "The politician is appealing to the labor constituency." Yet I am not sure I hear the word as my grandfather did.  Maybe part of that is not all bad.

I am not here to discuss the merits or non merits of unions.  I do think we are better if we don't use demarcations such as, "They are labor," or "They are management."  We all are labor.  We all are dependent on each other's work. 

While reading a friend's blog he reminded us that when we visit the hospital, there are doctors, maintenance and technology persons, nurses, chaplains, case workers, persons in the gift shop and cafeteria and shuttle drivers.  All the above perform labor from which we benefit.

We drive to the hospital safely because city employees keep the streets paved and painted (at least as far as our budgets allow) and police make sure we don't drive like crazy persons.  The roads are lit because someone designed and another constructed the lights.

I will eat dinner tonight because someone grew the food, someone picked it, others packaged it, and others delivered it.  I can prepare the meal because my teachers taught me not only to read, but to do the math needed for measurement.  Actually, Becky will tell you I think all measurements in cooking are open to interpretation.  Yet even there, my propensity to imagine while cooking was nurtured by teachers.

"...grant that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other's toil."  This is how the Prayer Book puts it.  As we enter the coming weekend, may we recall and give thanks for all with whom we are connected, all with whom we share this inextricable web of mutual labor.

Blessed Labor Day,

Todd Donatelli