Thursday, July 30, 2009

JUST A MUM?


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
Mum.'

'We don't list 'Mum' 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 m 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 aremore 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
Mum.'

Motherhood!

What a
glorious career!
Especially when there's a title on the door.




Does this makegrandmothers
'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 send this to another
Mum,
Grandmother,
Aunt,


And other friends you
know.




May your troubles be less,

Your blessing be more,

And
nothing but happiness come through your door!

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