It also somehow gave me a greater feeling of respect for myself and the many tedious, piecework jobs I have done to keep body and soul together over the years. It’s the kind of work that is not respected in this country. It’s what we would like to “outsource” – either to another country such as China – or to what we consider another people, i.e. the undocumented workers coming across our southwestern border. Or, yet again, to the “other country” in our midst – the working poor who are (so inexplicably) citizens of the US.

Respect should be inherent in the work one does – self respect and the respect of others, those who benefit from even the smallest of our labors. I saw the word ‘tradition’ several times in the translation. That was what made me think about all this. A completely different lens through which to view so many small things done well and done willingly.

Thanks for the chance to comment.