Have a Wonderful Mother's Day Weekend!

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 queried.

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 satisfaction 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.'

May your troubles be less,
Your blessing be more,
And nothing but happiness come through your door!