January 12, 2007
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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".
Comments (1)
That's very nice. I think the world puts far too much value on money and if you have a job not making big money they look down on you sad. Being a mother is the hardest of any job requiring many skills, a mother is all things. It doesn't pay a wage but it gives back far greater rewards.
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