By Karen and Erica

Labor Day. A day to celebrate the essential role of labor and the labor movement in this country. To remember the struggles and successes from which we all benefit today.

Of course Labor Day has other associations as well. Picnics, for one thing. Labor Day is the last official holiday of summer. How can it have come so soon? Summer was late getting started, and we were just getting into the swing of it. What happened? Time to raise one last gin and tonic, to hail the season that is now on the wane.

Labor Day also heralds the beginning of school--although, to our regret, school seems to be starting earlier and earlier, especially for our college students. What is the rush? They have more than half a century of work ahead of them. Let them enjoy their summer!

We, of course, are not going back to school--though we wish we were. College would be perfect for us, now, with what we have already learned. 

For us Labor Day is freighted--with history and fun and the change of the seasons. A signal to go forward and see what the glittering fall season will bring.