Just A Mom??
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 that need to be
> > > reminded that there is no such thing as......
> > >
> > > "Just a Mom"!!!!
> > >
> > > *********************************
> > >
> > >
> > > May your troubles be less,
> > >
> > > your blessings be more,
> > >
> > > and may nothing,
> > >
> > > but happiness...
> > >
> > > come through your door!!
> > >
> > > ********************************
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
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