Some Jobs are too big but none are too small.

I'll say this before I begin my post, this isn't really a lesson I picked in the US. More like a reaffirmation of my belief. I've never liked the words "maid" or worse "servant", it makes my skin crawl and anytime I hear those words from people my age I want correct them (mostly). I am not anybody's servant and nobody is mine. I hate this weird ownership that people show "My maid comes and she does this, she does that" "I have an amazing maid" a little short of 'I own her' - people say it all. It's disturbing.

I've grown up in a loving household with 5 people and endless guests. We've always had something to celebrate and you know what comes with celebration -clutter and a gigantic mess. We always had 'Aunty' who would help us out, over the years we've had very few 'aunties' who have come to our house mostly because once they got used to our home, they didn't leave unless they really had to. We still have lot of these ladies who come to visit my grandmom or drop by to give us invitations to their son's or daughter's wedding and I'd seen how well my mother and grandmother treat them.

While I was in Erie, the concept of dignity of labour really became more pronounced.  I volunteered at a place where people who worked in big offices left their egos behind swept floors and washed dishes and even collected animal poop without so much as even mentioning it. I have mad respect for all those people who showed me that whether you're a postman or a cashier at Walmart, whether you work in a big ass office or whether you wait tables at a local diner there is no job that's too small for you to do.

I know pretty much everyone in my friend and acquaintance circle has domestic help, some ask them to cook, clean and do a lot of chores which works for my friends which is great. However, I decided I wouldn't want any domestic help. If I can eat in a plate and sleep in the bed I am grown up enough to make my bed and wash my plate.  I am also grown up enough to sleep in a dirty house, if need be. Of course, my husband does his bit too, in fact it is our shared views on the matter that make it easier for me to say no. 

If ever there came a situation in the future I ask for help, I've made up my mind to a) Never assume I am doing them a favour by paying them (and acting like employing them is a favor rather than  a great help to me and b) Never assume that their jobs are 'low', c) never assume that they are not happy with their economic status unless explicitly told so.

With a great load of memories, I left Erie with lessons that come in handy every single day. Every time I do the laundry or every time I iron a set of clothes or do the dishes I am very aware that I am doing it out of my belief, out of my own choice and definitely because I want to. I shouldn't be the one to demand for a better society if I cannot understand the dignity of labour.