"Motherhood!!!"

A woman named Emily, 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 mother."

"We don't list 'mother' 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 don't know. The words simply popped out.
"I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development
and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ballpoint 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,
in the laboratory and in the field. I'm working for my Masters,
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.
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 triumphant! 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 mother."

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!!!

   and....

I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants."

KEEP SMILING!!!!!
JESUS LOVES YOU!!!!

Just added 4/26/2003
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