A woman, renewing her drivers's license at the County Clerk's office was asked by the woman behind the counter to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

"What I mean is," explained the office employee, "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 employee 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 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 just 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?"

Cooly, 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, but am 'on call 24hours ' 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 6month 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 offical records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom".  Motherhood! What a glorious carreer!  Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grand mothers "Senior Research Associate 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".

okay,  i think this little ditty is pretty cute...but after reading it i had a thought.......this kind of irks me......someone feeling they need to make their calling in life "sound" important....when we all know it is the MOST important job already.......then, i started realizing that there was a time...when i was younger that i felt this way.....and i have even been the rude employee who thought myself to be "superior" to full time moms.......and then  i realized....maybe it is just my age., but i now proclaim that i am a full time homemaker when people ask  (and sometimes when they don't....) now i feel more like i'm bragging.......perhaps i have just traveled enough miles or days on this earth and realize that i don't want to 'make myself sound important or respectable'   i AM and frankly i think we must command respect for the godly calling of motherhood and being a wife.....as much if not more than ministers, priests, and other clergy.....True, they bring souls to christ....but christ works THROUGH  mothers to bring spirits/souls here to do his work....and if we do our 'job' according to his word.....there would be a lot less "work" for the clergy to do........................

Rant over........i DID find the little story cute....but it just really set me off into a deeper place of thought.....sometimes silly fluff can do that...........