Mixed Thoughts on Labor Day

Labor Day brings up all kinds of feelings and thoughts for me. When I was teaching, we always started school the day after Labor Day. That's when my official 'labors' began. UGH! It marked the end of vacation and that freedom and began the rigors of the job and the loss of a certain freedom (using the bathroom whenever you wanted-teachers can relate!). Now,Labor Day is a different holiday to me so I must remember NOT to put the garbage out, not to look for mail, cancel a trip to the bank and read a noticeably thicker newspaper filled with another excuse for a sale. I know now my labors are my love.Then questions of whether or not to post something online comes up. Is anyone online to notice? Is a b&m open for me to visit? Are the store hours the usual?
Notice, all my teaching and post teaching issues with the holiday have NOTHING to do with the holiday's intent.
What is Labor Day? What is the meaning? I questioned an 8 year old yesterday and other than a day off from school (they start way before the holiday) he had not a clue.Did you know initially it was to quell concerns after a labor strike that resulted in the death of some workers? Wikipedia says "The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday: A street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations".
The US Department of Labor says "Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country."
With either definition Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer, a day to relax, remember the summer and gather for the autumn BUT it is also a day for all the workers-firemen, police, retail clerks, store attendents,doctors, nurses, etc. who are laboring today. And today especially, THANK YOU!