Work Stress, hard work (getting on my soapbox)

Well we finally went live with the new computer system at work, things are going OK with that. It is actually easier that we went live, the unknown is no longer in from to me, it is here, and it is not as bad as I thought it would be. We are working through the bumps in the road, pinning down management for processes, and pulling together to get things done.
I have always been a worrier, and also someone who put it on myself to be "responsible" for too many things. Maybe that is why I have struggled with Crohn's disease, and hypertension!
What makes us who we are, is it how we grew up? My Dad had a stroke at age 50, I was in Junior high, life changed a lot after that and it changed my childhood a lot. We no longer had extra money for pretty clothes or dresses for the school dances, Mom worked more, I was Dad's helper more, went up to the high country with him to be his "camp cook",  as soon as I could I got my drivers license and would often do the families grocery shopping, I started working at Miners Inn as a dishwasher at age 15. Worked when I could to have spending money. I was the baby of the family - most babies of the family are not thrown into working and helping as much as I was. By the time I graduated from high school I knew my parents could not afford to help me even go to Junior College, so I joined the Navy.

I am thankful for my ability to work, I am thankful I have had the skills to support myself and my family when I needed to. I do not understand those who are able to work but do not, who use Welfare or disability (great for those who need it!), but too many in our society are able to work. How much less would our taxes be if more people were hard working and self reliant? I believe that is the way our forefathers were, building this country from nothing. I am thankful for parents who taught me to work hard, to grow a garden, canning, cooking, sewing. I am thankful my husband is able to make something out of nothing, to do some plumbing, electrical, fix a car, change my oil, cut wood, build a house, weld, and too many things to list.
I am thankful that my children are hard workers, and I am very proud of them for taking such great care of their families.