A new title for us. Read on….
A woman named Jan 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 Emily, "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 mid air, 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, (the whole
darned 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 share this with another
Mom, Grandmother, Aunt,
and other friends you know.
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