...mother of all services !!!

[Guest guest]

A woman renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office was

asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation, Emily had 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 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 (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 (6 months) 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!!!

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

 

Thanks, Merti