Labor Day

I wasn't able to go to the cemetery until yesterday. Finally. I used to be so good at keeping his grave neat and tidy and changing his flowers for the seasons. It made me feel like I was still taking care of him. Which was all I have known for so long. But since my job has changed and my hours are longer and my commitment has deepened, I seem to have less time to devote to other important things in my life. So when I got there I noticed a big beautiful American flag had been placed on his grave. I looked around and there were similar ones placed on other graves. The caretaker had done it. He is a very nice man and I have spoke with him many times. So the first reaction I have is pure guilt. That I had not thought to come and put and a flag on my own husbands grave. Shame on me. Then I had a feeling of gratitude. That someone had thought to do this. As I sat on the bench with him beneath my feet, I looked at that flag and let my thoughts wander. He was the hardest working "laborer" I knew. And still know to this day. That man would have done whatever it took for his family to have what we needed and wanted. He labored from 5am until 10pm. He would come home from work and be so exhausted and want nothing more than to lay down. Instead he would go into the garage and work on whatever side mechanic job he had going at the time. His poor feet would get so callused from his work boots. I made sure he had good cushioned insoles but sometimes it just didn't matter. Work boots are work boots. I spent a lot of time rubbing lotion on his feet. Spent a lot of time giving him back massages. Walking on his back to crack it. He loved his job too. Was so proud of the tooling he would build. Intricate, detailed designs he would just put together like it was nothing. All with only eyesight in one eye! He labored at car auctions and was so good at knowing which cars to buy. Very rarely did he lose money. Hundreds of times I had to push, pull or follow him home in a vehicle. If it was drivable I would follow behind him and he would be swerving on the road as he checked everything out. The cars didn't sit in our drive long. He sold them pretty quick. He labored at the junk yard. He knew just what items would sell good on Ebay so if he had to go get a part for himself he was always on the look out for things he could sell. He was the hardest working man I know. Happy Labor Day honey!