Who is Mum (Mom)

JUST A MUM?
A woman, renewing her driver's license at the CountyClerk'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 aMum.

''We don't list 'Mum' as an occupation,

'housewife' coversit,

'Said the recorde remphatically.

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 aResearch Associate in the field of Child Development and HumanRelations.

'The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in m midair and

looked up as though shehad not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizingthe 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 doin 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 there wards 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 I had scored abeat on bureaucracy!

And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished

and indispensable to man kind than 'just another Mum.

'Motherhood!

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

Does this make grandmothers'SeniorResearch associates in the field of Child Development and

Human Relations'

And great grandmothers

'Executive Senior Research Associates?

'I think so!!!

Ialso think it makes Aunts'Associate Research Assistants.

'Please send this to another Mum,Grandmother,Aunt,And other friends youknow.

May your troubles be less,Your blessing be more,

And nothing but happiness come through your door!