There have been interviews of Hollywood stars who lament about the hard work and long hours they put into the creation of a movie. Personally if I was making seven figures for two months of work I think I would keep my mouth shut. They don’t mention the hours they spend in a trailer doing nothing, or the staff that is at their service. Even those in their own field, the actors performing eight shows a week on the stage, the lesser known musicians who travel from venue to venue, the dancers whose feet take a beating every day, do not make the income of these fortunate few.

There are others who work much harder every day and who never see this type of wealth. Maybe they should take another look at the road crews pouring asphalt in 90 degree heat. Maybe they should wonder what it is like to clean hundreds of hotel rooms. Maybe they have forgotten that there are those who collect and manage our waste. Maybe they should try pulling multiple shifts as emergency personnel. Maybe they should try driving across the country to deliver our goods. Maybe they should consider that there are people who stand on their feet for hours working registers or bagging groceries for minimum wage. These are the people who work hard to provide all of us with a better quality of life. How many times do we ever thank them?

Everyone has times when they are exhausted and feel overworked. But the concept of what is” hard” has to be looked at realistically. This past week the northeast experienced widespread power outages. People were without electricity for days and it took its toll on the mind and body. There is a great deal of anger against the utility companies but that anger should be directed towards management. The men and women who worked to restore poles and power lines worked long shifts and long hours in dangerous conditions. They outdid themselves to get power back to most people within the week. For them and all those who work “hard”, thank you and Happy Labor Day.