My Story
We live in the valley where citrus groves are all around us. Fall has begun, and as many of us may know, Autumn is the best time of the year to go to the grocery store for some citrus fruit! But to me, it's more than just a fruit that goes to my belly for a sweet and healthy craving. Looking at an orange reminds me of carrying that heavy ladder, filling up that bag strapped to my upper body, and emptying out all that bag of fruit in what we call a bin. Yes! I grew up as a citrus picker, and I know that so many of us on these grounds have families who wake up every morning and put on the same bag that I once put on. My older brother and I grew up waking up every morning on the weekend to go help my mom put a few bags of lemon in her bin, beginning at the age of 8. Once I had left my high school years to transfer to home studies, I spent those four years picking citrus fruit with my mom, specifically lemons and oranges. I was a proud field worker, and I am so happy that I got to experience how my mom put the food on the table for my siblings and me.
It might be a coincidence that the citrus season and the holidays coexist. Regardless, this is our chance as human beings to give gratitude and thanks to our fellow citrus farmers and pickers. Knowing the hard work and ethics it takes, I can say that it is not easy waking up every morning and carrying a ladder, approximately 18ft, and having to carry fruit bags that vary from 40 to 100 pounds. I remember my mother telling me how field workers like her are still human, even though their jobs may make it seem like their skin is of stone. Her words ring in my head, “If I'm going through something, mija, I get on that ladder, and while I pick those fruits and throw them in my bag, the tears go down my cheek, and it dries up with dirt.” Every job is unique, yet the physical work ethic and motivation needed to work in a risky environment are astonishing! Risking a wet climate like rainy days can be dangerous with one wrong slip. Working out in the heat of 105 degrees may seem insane, but they make it happen.
We should all be thankful for citrus pickers for many reasons. How can we show the people around us that we are so grateful for their hard work?
Ways to show Gratitude
· Hand-written Thank You Letter: Write a nice letter showing gratitude for the workers hard work and dedication.
· Special Dinner: Surprise the worker with a special dinner, such as going out to a restaurant or cooking their favorite meal.
· Flowers: Buy flowers for a female worker to express thankfulness (mom, sister, etc.)
· Tickets to a live show or sporting event: A good break is a nice way of showing appreciation for their everyday work.
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