Work While the Sun Shines

Work is invigorating, challenging, rewarding, and tiring.  

I think about my parents who fostered a good work ethic in their daughters.  During the school year, we were encouraged to do our best in school.  We did chores at home.  Dad and Mom always said they had five of the best dishwashers around.  During the summer, our work included helping in the garden, mowing the lawn, going on trips to Island Park to get wood and then spending hours helping Dad cut it into logs for the fireplace.


Mom and Dad taught us that peas, beans and strawberries were always easier to pick in the early morning hours before it got too hot.  

They taught us that play was so much more fun after the work was done.

So, today, we worked.  We scraped off wall paper borders, we replaced door handles and locks and shower heads, we fixed light switches, we prepped for painting, we learned how to clean a pool, we cleaned a pool, and we painted the front doors.

And then we played.  We jumped in the pool and enjoyed the sway of palm trees in the breeze.  This is Stephen's idea of heaven.  He says he is never going to get tired of this. 

  

We came back to the hotel, did the laundry and went grocery shopping.

And now we are weary . . . exhausted, tired, can't-move-at-all weary.  We are off to go to sleep.

The Road goes ever on and on 

Out from the door where it began. 

Now far ahead the Road has gone, 

Let others follow it who can! 

Let them a journey new begin, 

But I at last with weary feet 

Will turn towards the lighted inn, 

My evening-rest and sleep to meet.

J.R.R. Tolkien