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Sunday, May 9, 2010

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 about the 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 and 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."

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

2 comments:

  1. A very Happy Mom's Day to you! Love this title and will have to try it out.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I LOVE IT!!! I don't know how I got here, but I started to read your post and by the end I was peeing my pants laughing!!! Yes, I am also a mother of 4 and I can totally relate to you, but have never had the guts to say anything even remotely close to that. You've made my night, thank you :-)

    I'm now a follower, I love your blog, thank you for sharing your knowledge. Also, I love your idea's for your creating room (love the name) and I will use some of your ideas (if that's ok) to help get my own room organized, Love Ikea :-)

    Annette

    http://sunflowerscreations.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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