A Labor of Love!

(My Dad and I, Father's Day, June 21, 2020. We had so much fun that day!!)

As I write this, Labor Day is approaching. The unofficial end of the Summer. As the warm breeze blows through my window, I’m thinking of the upcoming festivities this weekend. Barbeques, beaches, parks, music, friends, family and loved ones. There’s an energy of excitement in the air as people from all walks of life look forward to taking off a few days to, ironically, celebrate Labor Day.

Labor Day. It’s a time for some to reflect on what they do for a living as they take a holiday break.

It’s also my late Dad’s birthday.

He’s been gone for almost two years now.

As those who have lost a parent know, it’s a process you go through. I still remember him so vividly and sometimes still dream about him as if he’s still here. I’ll always think of him on Labor Day weekend, but for more than just the obvious reason.

You see, I run a non profit organization, and we provide free-to-low cost tutoring, set up learning centers, and provide mentoring to youth in the community. Our mission is to share the timeless knowledge of teaching and how we as humans learn with everyone and everywhere possible! Our mission is to help build a better society!

And my Dad is probably the main reason why I do what I do. And love it!

Quick story: when I was at Chicago State University earning my Masters In Teaching, we had to pick and write a paper about our educational icon. I picked William James. Now, don’t get me wrong, William James is indeed a heavyweight in the field of education. And he wasn’t a bad choice at all to pick. But at the time, to be honest, I hadn’t really given it a lot of thought. And I was just beginning to learn about education. The point is, after all these years of teaching, upon further reflection, my Dad is my educational Icon.

Pops was a brilliant Black Man. But he was born at a time, in an era, where a lot of brilliant young black boys didn’t have access to a good education. He didn’t finish high school (although he would go back and get his GED years later), he didn’t graduate from college, and he also didn’t have exposure to a lot of other things, great and small, that benefit the traditionally educated.

Even though he didn’t have those things, and always wanted them, craved them, in fact, he made sure I had them. And I can’t ever be too grateful or thank him enough for what he did.

I miss my Dad. I think about him everyday. I’m grateful as a Black Man that I had my Dad for as long as I did (44 years!).

So, as we all enjoy Labor Day (safely and soundly I pray) and get ready to return to our work this late Summer and Fall, I dedicate myself again to helping every family I can to have access to the best education and all that comes with it, not least of all a better life! It’s my own personal labor. A labor of love. I’ll do it for my whole life, ‘cause that’s what Pops did for me!

So, wherever you are, happy birthday, Daddy! And happy Labor Day one and all!