My sister sent this to me and I just couldn't help pass it on.
MORE THAN 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 lik e 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 grandmo thers
"Executive Senior Research Associates"? I think so!!! I also think it
makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants".
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 lik e 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 grandmo thers
"Executive Senior Research Associates"? I think so!!! I also think it
makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants".
