Just a mom?

I found this is the “Gulf Coast Community” Newspaper that they give away at church. I thought it was really cute and so true, so I thought I would share it with you all. Enjoy!

A woman, renewing her drivers license at the County Clerks office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to clasify herself.

“What I mean, is…” the recorder explained, “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 Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and posessed of a high sounding title like “Official Interrogator” or “Town Registrar.”

“What is your occupation?” se 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 Developement 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 on my Master [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 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 escorted 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 [my 6 month old baby] in the child developement 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 indespensable to mankind than “just another Mom.” Motherhood! What a glorious career!

Hope you all have a Happy Tuesday! Enjoy your day of ‘research and developement!’