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JUST A MOM
A woman, renewing her driver's license at
the County Clerk 's office was
asked by the woman recorder to state her
occupation.
She hesitated, uncertain how to classify
herself.
"What I mean is," explained the recorder,
"do you have a job or are you just a......?"
"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.
"I'm a Mom."
"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation,
'housewife' covers it,"
said the recorder emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day I
found myself in the
same situation, this time at our own Town
Hall.
The Clerk was obviously a career woman,
poised,
efficient and possessed of a high sounding
title like,
"Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."
"What is your occupation?" she probed.
What made me say it?
I do not know.
The words simply popped out.
"I'm a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations."
The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in
midair and
looked up as though she had not heard right.
I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the
most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my
pronouncement was written,
in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
"Might I ask," said the clerk with new
interest,
"just what you do in your field?"
Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
"I have a continuing program of research,
[what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most
demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and
the rewards are more of a satisfaction
rather than just money."
There was an increasing note of respect in
the clerk's voice as she
completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.
As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by
my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages
13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as
someone more
distinguished and indispensable to mankind
than
"just another Mom." Motherhood!
What a glorious career!
Especially when there's a title on the door
Does this make grandmothers
"Senior Research associates in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations"
and great grandmothers
"Executive Senior Research Associates"?
I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts
"Associate Research Assistants".
Please send this to another Mom,
Grandmother, Aunt,
and other friends you know.
May your troubles be less,
your blessings be more
and nothing but happiness come through your
door!
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