Labor Day, labor day, labor day... I promised myself that, with the fall season creeping up, I would once again begin, in earnest, to post something on my blog on a somewhat more regular basis than I have been doing this summer. What better day than Labor Day to dig in and get to work?
Labor Day is the United States’ annual tribute to celebrate the achievements of American workers. As a parent and grandparent I know well that these days it's a tough assignment to instill in children an appreciation of the value of physical work. Let’s face it, most children would rather do a fun thing, like play a digital game than take out the garbage or help clean the yard. But, I’m pretty sure that for the most part success in life is due to one’s willingness to work.
I’m not certain why, but when I sat down to think about Labor Day I thought of the famed poster of Rosie the Riveter, poised with her sleeves rolled up and flexing her bicep and the words “We Can Do It!” in a cartoon bubble above her head.
And Rosie in turn reminded me of someone I saw recently on television, her name is Lisa King. Ms. King is the mother of 10, yes, I said 10, count ‘em 10, children and I guess that in itself would be, as they say, “a labor of love.” Oh, and the youngest of her children, Ben, has down’s syndrome
Ms. King is a seemingly tireless, unflagging, indefatigable soul. There is an sweet effervescence about her. I get this sense that she will bubble over at any moment with a laugh or a joke and she does not disappoint me.
Due to a divorce from the children’s father, she’s a single mom now. Her children’s ages range from 29 years to 8 years, there are nine boys and one girl. She and her children grew up on a farm, so after the divorce the three oldest sons pooled their money to buy 150 acres of farmland, which they call, “Freedom Farms.”
The entire family is involved in the farm operations and the labor-intensive work that it entails. I don’t really know, but I’m guessing it might be difficult to support a family of 11+ on 150 acres alone, so they also run a bakery, cafe and storefront. They also sell their produce at local farmers markets.
The oldest son, Joe, with a college degree in engineering or something, is the official head of the business, but mom, Lisa, remains the head of the family and the children’s respect for their mother is evident.
Each family member contributes, and they all work hard, but Lisa’s efforts are particularly amazing to me. Her days begin at 4 a.m. with her baking of pies for the bakery. She can turn out 30 per hour, they say. She also harvests flowers they grow on their acreage and creates floral arrangements to be sold at the storefront. She also oversees and partakes in the preparation of the seasonal food produced for the cafe. All of her toil is done with humor and wit.
She has taught her children well. Their work ethic is inspirational, sort of an “all hands on deck,” “keep going until it’s done, and whatever you do, give it your best effort” - kind of endeavor.
Each family member is “in charge” of something. Each has a main job, and thus others working with them must follow that person’s dictum. But, whatever the task, everyone does everything. If it’s weed-pulling time, anyone not working on something else will pull weeds. If it’s produce-picking time, if it’s fence-mending time... The whole family working together, 7 days a week, and don't think they excuse Ben from his share of the labor, because they do not.
Now here’s the kicker: Lisa’s children are physically beautiful, like movie star perfect, physical specimens, each one cuter than the one before. She must be told this often, because she’s been quoted as saying, “I like to think that their beauty comes from within, too.” In fact, the reason the King family was “discovered” was because her four oldest sons posed for some farming magazine with their shirts off and as they say, “the rest is history.”
Now I’ve said this before and I’m saying it again: I get that so called “reality tv” is as scripted and contrived, and thus as carefully edited as any sitcom or drama. I truly get that.
But, that being said, this is my type of reality television. It’s good, it’s wholesome and it renews my faith in my fellow humans, especially when nutty stuff is going on like the chemical warfare in Syria.
So, if you want to see a good show about a good looking, hard working family who don’t seem to mind laboring from sunrise to sunset, check out the King family on the GAC channel. I'm pretty sure you'll like the show. (By the way, GAC stands for Great American Country, which mostly features Country and Western music and stuff.)
Ms. King said that she once watched the show and it brought tears to her eyes. I hear you, sister, it brings tears to my eyes, too.
Lisa King - My Labor Day Hero
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