A recent blog posting by a friend in Minnesota got me
to thinking about the jobs we do, the lives we live and the too-often skewed
way we look at those two things.
My friend Audrey wrote a lovely post - a tribute of sorts - of both pride and appreciation to and about her husband Randy. This month marks his thirtieth year with the same company as an automotive machinist. She wrote of the hard, dirty work he has and continues to do to provide for his family, six days a week, with 10 days off each year for vacation. She made no reference to salary, but I know without question it is far, far less than he is worth.
For thirty years, Randy, like so many other hard-working people, does a job that makes a difference to us all. Most of us have turned our car’s ignition key, only to hear no response. We're then instantly in touch with how important machinists and mechanics are. Without them, we're literally going nowhere until they do their respective "magic." Important indeed!
Yet, it has been my unfortunate experience that in America, the job one does and its accompanying title and salary too often determine the level of respect and worth one is given by others, regardless of the kind of life one is actually living. It seems that money, title and "collar color" stand as the holy trinity of importance when sizing up the value of another human being and their accompanying life. Dirt under the fingernails and a wall devoid of framed degrees often means "not quite as good as," doesn't it?
Amazing, isn't it? Amazingly shallow and sad. For you see, as an example, Audrey and Randy lead lives that most folks would envy - if kindness, integrity, happiness and true meaning are life's defining qualities rather than money and titles.
And it's not just in Minnesota. It's everywhere. Who do we value more? The doctor holding the scalpel or the cleaning person who made sure the operating room was pristine for our surgery? Both are equally important, aren't they? But, somehow, not really. To whom do we show more deference? The CEO of a food company or the field worker who bent for hours to pick our strawberries? This is worth our serious consideration, isn't it?
And this is at the very heart of what I so love, respect and deeply appreciate about the public library. It is the great equalizer in our society. It matters not the job you do, the money you make, the color of your collar, the state of your fingernails, your level of education or whether a title precedes or follows your name. None carry any significance at YOUR library. Neill Public Library is about equal access for each and for all. It is our mission and passion to give the same respectful, sensitive, professional service to every person who comes through the doors. So we hope you will come see us often.
And to Audrey and Randy - here's to continued happiness in the lovely life you are truly living!
My friend Audrey wrote a lovely post - a tribute of sorts - of both pride and appreciation to and about her husband Randy. This month marks his thirtieth year with the same company as an automotive machinist. She wrote of the hard, dirty work he has and continues to do to provide for his family, six days a week, with 10 days off each year for vacation. She made no reference to salary, but I know without question it is far, far less than he is worth.
For thirty years, Randy, like so many other hard-working people, does a job that makes a difference to us all. Most of us have turned our car’s ignition key, only to hear no response. We're then instantly in touch with how important machinists and mechanics are. Without them, we're literally going nowhere until they do their respective "magic." Important indeed!
Yet, it has been my unfortunate experience that in America, the job one does and its accompanying title and salary too often determine the level of respect and worth one is given by others, regardless of the kind of life one is actually living. It seems that money, title and "collar color" stand as the holy trinity of importance when sizing up the value of another human being and their accompanying life. Dirt under the fingernails and a wall devoid of framed degrees often means "not quite as good as," doesn't it?
Amazing, isn't it? Amazingly shallow and sad. For you see, as an example, Audrey and Randy lead lives that most folks would envy - if kindness, integrity, happiness and true meaning are life's defining qualities rather than money and titles.
And it's not just in Minnesota. It's everywhere. Who do we value more? The doctor holding the scalpel or the cleaning person who made sure the operating room was pristine for our surgery? Both are equally important, aren't they? But, somehow, not really. To whom do we show more deference? The CEO of a food company or the field worker who bent for hours to pick our strawberries? This is worth our serious consideration, isn't it?
And this is at the very heart of what I so love, respect and deeply appreciate about the public library. It is the great equalizer in our society. It matters not the job you do, the money you make, the color of your collar, the state of your fingernails, your level of education or whether a title precedes or follows your name. None carry any significance at YOUR library. Neill Public Library is about equal access for each and for all. It is our mission and passion to give the same respectful, sensitive, professional service to every person who comes through the doors. So we hope you will come see us often.
And to Audrey and Randy - here's to continued happiness in the lovely life you are truly living!
Kathleen Ahern,
Youth Service Librarian
published in Moscow Pullman Daily News, October 19, 2013.
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