Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day!

Here is the annual reminder that you are not 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.

13 comments:

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

How sweet this is...so true, too!

Anonymous said...

I love this approach. I worked on and off throughout my mothering years. It would have been a great line to have.

SmilingSally said...

I used to put as my occupation: Engineer of Domestic Relations.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh how cute Diane! I Loved this! laurie

Foley said...

BRAVO!!!! I only wish that clerk would read this...

Linda said...

Very cute post...and wow, what a creative response!

Michelle said...

I love it! Happy, happy Mother's Day!!

Justine said...

Hi Diane! Hope you had a WONDERFUL mother's day! I went to the hospital to visit Jill and Alexa. It was actually a nice day!

Justine :o )

dana said...

OK, so now I'm calling myself a Senior Research Associate!! Love it! Love this post.

I also love the heads up you gave me about chair covers for those cheap white plastic chairs of mine. I will be on the look out for more cheap fabric! I am getting ready to make cushions for our black metal chairs. Whoa, thank goodness for JoAnn's and their cheap fabric and their 50% off coupon for additional savings on that cheap fabric!!

Hope you had a great Mother's Day! Dana

Nancy Rosalina said...

Very cute! Hope you had a great Mothers Day! Nancy

Tootsie said...

just got your comment for my birthday!!! thanks...got the card too!!! you are one in a million for me girl

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

Happy Mother's Day, such a sweet post. Thanks for the note that you left in my bathroom.

RobinfromCA said...

Excellent! There has never been anything such as "just a mom" but sometimes it needs to be shouted from the rooftops!

Robin

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