Guest Guest Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 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, 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 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, 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!!! I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants." Please send this to another Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, and other friends you know! They will be delighted with their "new" position in life! We cannot change the direction of the wind -- but we can adjust our sails." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Life is not measured by the breaths we take....but by the moments that take our breath away ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams....Eleanor Roosevelt Quote Link to comment
HapyGirl Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 Isn't this one great! Quote Link to comment
Lois Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 Congrats on the promotion Becca! Quote Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 Oh I just have to cut and paste this one and send it to all I know in the field. di Quote Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 Becca, it was long overdue! Quote Link to comment
HapyGirl Posted February 22, 2003 Share Posted February 22, 2003 LOL Yes it made my day. I'm considering getting business cards made up with it LOL! Quote Link to comment
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