Dearest Elena..

Today’s holiday is Labor Day and our book is Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin. Labor Day celebrates the hard work that people do in the workforce. You see, people need to work to make a living to live the life they desire. In exchange for working, they make money. This allows them to buy things they need, like clothes, food and shelter.

In our story, the cows on a farm have a typewriter and they write to Farmer Brown, their employer, that they are cold and need electric blankets. Farmer Brown can’t stand the noise from the typing. All day he hears “Click, Clack, Moo.” He gets angry and refuses to give them blankets. So the cows go on strike, telling him that if there are no blankets, there will be no milk.

Dearest Elena, when workers go on strike, it means they refuse to work which puts pressure on the employer. The cows gather the hens to join them. They will produce no eggs. Farmer Brown is very upset. He sends a neutral third party, a duck, to help him with this problem, and they come up with a compromise. They cows agree to give up their typewriters if he gives them the electric blankets. So it is settled. Each side gives up something to find an agreement for all.

One of the most unbelievable aspects of living in America is that you have freedom to do what you want and to get an education that will prepare you. May you find a job that makes good use of your time, your heart and energy. May it be something that is meaningful and gives you an important sense of purpose.

Elena, when you get bigger and get your first job, no matter what you choose, please know that Daddy and Mommy stand behind you 1000%.

Meanwhile, I salute all the men and women in our fine country who work every day to provide for themselves and their families.