This is pretty much what happened to my dad, the man spent 55-60 years working day and night hardest worker you ever would meet. 12-hour days owned multiple businesses over his life. We both did hard back-breaking work breathing chemicals we shouldn't, lifting things that had to be moved, rolling around on concrete up and under trucks and equipment. He spent his last 5 years with cancer, medical bills wiped out everything he ever worked for and he spent his last years suffering.

New episode of America Works: Grocery store cashier Luann Miller talked to a folklorist about working just about every job there is in the grocery business – from re-stocker, to cashier to bagger. Full episode on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher & at loc.gov/podcasts.