I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations

Tanya, thanx for this email.... I LOVE IT!

JUST A MOM
A woman, renewing her driver's license at theCounty Clerk's office was asked by the womanRecorder to state her occupation.She hesitated, uncertain how to classify Herself."What I mean is," explained the recorder, "doYou 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 recorderEmphatically.I forgot all about her story until one day..IFound myself in the same situation, this time at our Own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a careerWoman, poised, efficient and possessed of a highSounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or"Town Registrar.""What is your occupation?" she probed. What made me say it? I do not know. The wordsSimply popped out."I'm a Research Associate in the field ofChild Development and Human Relations."The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in Midair and looked up as though she had not heardRight.I repeated the title slowly emphasizing theMost significant words.Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncementWas written in bold, black ink on the official Questionnaire."Might I ask," said the clerk with newInterest, "just what you do in your field?"Coolly, without any trace of fluster in myVoice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing Program of research, (what mother doesn't) in theLaboratory and in the field, (normally I would haveSaid indoors and out).I'm working for my Masters, (the whole darnedFamily) and already have four credits (all Daughters). Of course, the job is one of the mostDemanding in the humanities, (any mother care toDisagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 isMore like it). But the job is more challenging thanMost run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are More of a satisfaction rather than just money."There was an increasing note of respect inThe clerk's voice as she completed the form, stoodUp 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 labAssistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I couldHear our new experimental model, (a 6 month oldBaby) in the child development program, testing outA new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on Bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official recordsAs someone more distinguished and dispensable toMankind than "just another Mom." Motherhood! What aGlorious career! Especially when there's a title on The door.Does this make grandmothers "Senior ResearchAssociates in the field of Child Development andHuman Relations" and great grandmothers ExecutiveSenior Research Associates"? I think so!!! I also Think it makes Aunts "Associate ResearchAssistants".Please send this to another Mom, Grandmother,Aunt, and other friends you know.May your troubles be less, your blessings be More and nothing but happiness come through your Door.