\u201cIs that second breakfast or first?\u201d, I say to the man. \u201cFirst. I didn\u2019t have any when I left home\u201d. He told me he had been at work since 6. \u201cI finish at 2; something to look forward to\u201d.<\/p>\n
We then had a conversation about this being his regular shift. He didn\u2019t mind it really; much better than when he worked the three shifts.<\/p>\n
It took me back to another time. Those early days of the shift system starting with the help of people like my dad. They were willing to do any job, at anytime, anywhere. The money was good. Much better than they had ever known. Some were willing to work a shift and half; a few even double shifts. \u201cCan you just imagine working for that long!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
We met. We connected (as parents). She was looking forward to Christmas, with her one year old daughter. It made me think about 1990; my first with mine. \u201cTwo whole weeks with your baby\u201d, I thought to myself. Mine is coming back home tomorrow. What fun have we had! What fun are we still to have!<\/p>\n
We then connected as teachers, as educators, with a love for learning. And literature. Will I have time to actually read for pleasure, over Christmas, I wondered.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cIs that second breakfast or first?\u201d, I say to the man. \u201cFirst. I didn\u2019t have any when I left home\u201d. He told me he had been at work since 6. \u201cI finish at 2; something to look forward to\u201d. We then had a conversation about this being his regular shift. He didn\u2019t mind it really; … <\/p>\n