Just a Mom?

I've always liked this one....you may have already seen it in your email box at some point. No smart ass commentary on this one...I love it as is!


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".