In my book, there's no such thing as "menial labor".
Everyone that works an honest job is a valuable member of the
work force. Those jobs labeled as "menial" are necessary to our
society. As a teenager in Miami, I painted houses, pumped gas,
delivered phone books after school and on the weekends. I
didn't get paid much but helped my family. After high school, I
moved to Madison. I cleaned toilets, mopped floors, wiped
butts, emptied bed pans, inserted Foley catheters, and did
whatever was asked of me at the hospital, with a smile. This
paid for my college tuition, rent, utilities and left enough money
to survive on 19 cent cans of spaghetti and an occasional bottle
of Boone's Farm when a friend would drive us across the county
line to get one and some Old Milwaukee Beer. Life was good!
Walking was my mode of transportation and I got my
exercise by running from dogs that would chase me when
walking home after my hospital shift, which ended at midnight.
What's a gym?
Not being an educated man and not proficient in English,
my dad did "menial work" all his life in exile, until he got sick
in his 70s. He was my hero. He did whatever it took to provide
for our needs. My dad never could afford the wants. So did my
mom until she became unable to work...peeling shrimp, cooking
at restaurants 16 hours a day, factory work, waiting on tables -
stuff that a lot of people consider "menial" or beneath them.
And they never complained because after losing everything to
and living in communism, they were grateful that we would not
be hungry again. They always told us to get an education so we
wouldn't have to struggle.
But I found out after a year in college, that it wasn't for me.
I particularly disliked writing. Instead, my boss and director of
nurses recognized my "menial work" and decided to send me to
this brand-new school: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
I graduated with 100% on state boards and my number was 119
in the whole state. The sheriff who ran the ambulance service
then offered me a part time job - Friday through Monday so the
other crews could get time off. The shifts were. 24 hours for $25
a day. I thought I was rich and thought now I could afford TV
dinners and Vienna sausages, and a nicer apartment. So, I
worked 96 hours straight for $100 and I was enjoying helping
people and forming friendships and good memories.
So, whatever it is you do in life, do it well, do it proud,
change it when you lose the passion, and remember... to me, to
the people that love you, to your friends, and more importantly,
to God... you will never be "menial"!
Juan Botino