Dear Dad.

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."  George Santayana

Earlier this week I overheard a daughter and mother talking about Labor Day.
 "What is it anyway?" (daughter)
"Well, I don't know, just some day for people to not work and there's always big sales."  (mother)  
Sadly, it didn't surprise me much.  Most people have no clue what Labor Day is all about.  I couldn't help but think about my dad and about his constant preaching to my sister and I about the importance of fair treatment of workers in this country.  It made me reflect on all the cool things I know because of my dad...

Dear Dad,

Because of you I know that Labor Day is not just a day to mark the last day appropriate to wear white or another excuse to go shopping for sales at the mall.  I know that it's a celebration of the American Labor Movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of workers. I know that the following terms would not have been possible were it not for the American Labor Movement:
 The Weekend. Overtime Pay. 8 Hour Workday. Minimum Wage. PAID Vacation. SICK Days. Safety Standards. Child Labor Laws. HEALTH Benefits. Retirement Security & Unemployment Compensation.   I know this to be true because you taught me when I was 11 and reiterated it years later when I started my first job at 17.  Thank you.

Because of you I have always known that Memorial Day is not just a BBQ holiday for hangin' out at the lake.  I know that it's a day to remember and show respect to those who fought for our country in the armed forces and lost their lives in the pursuit of the freedoms we all too often take for granted.  I know because you taught me when I when was in 2nd grade and then a few years later in junior high when you showed me through the endless rows of unmarked graves at the battle of Vicksburg. Thank you.

Through your constant reading, zest for historical knowledge and own service in the armed forces, you have taught me that war is an horrific event which should never be entered into lightly and that all of the so called facts in my school history books were pretty much full of bologna. And YES, that would begin with our own Native American heritage and fictional history book pictorials of corn, maize and happy Thanksgiving dinners with pilgrims.   I know what is true because you taught me when I was 7 and explained it again and again through many adult years of an Iraqi war, lying politicians and senseless deaths around the world.  Thank you.

Because of you I will always be a life long supporter of the underdog and a cheerleader for those whose voices might often go unheard.   You taught me that we are only as strong as our weakest link and all people deserve a fair chance in this world.  And just as importantly, you have taught me that one of the saddest realities in this life is that many people never receive their fair chance and one should never believe their circumstances could not change...literally on a dime.  To ever believe that one is better than another human being based on socioeconomic status or otherwise is not only ludicrous but wrong.  I know that and believe it with all my heart, because you taught me.  Thank you.

Because of you I have learned that good deeds unmentioned, unnoticed and unpraised are the best deeds of all. You have taught me through your actions.

Thank you.
I promise to never stop learning if you promise to never stop teaching.


Hepburn  Hugs & Ric Ocasek Dreams

xoxo