[Nfbmo] Not Just Another Mother

[Gary Wunder]

At last, one of these I like. Far too often I think that the things which
come out as author unknown or have some bogus name that you can't trace are
actually just meant to be mean. I have no idea whether this happened or not,
but it is a nice story.

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbmo [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of nancy Lynn via
Nfbmo
Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2017 4:29 AM
To: nfbmo list; NFBC List; Seniors
Cc: nancy Lynn
Subject: [Nfbmo] Not Just Another Mother

Not Just Another Mother
A few months ago when I was picking up the children at school, another
mother I knew well rushed up to me.  Emily was fuming with indignation.

"Do you know what you and I are?" she demanded.

Before I could answer, and I didn't really have one handy, she blurted out
the reason for her question.

It seemed she had just returned from renewing her driver's license at the
County Clerk's office.  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.

"And what is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it, I don't 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 pompous 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 in 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!  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.

Send this to another Mother you know.
Whether a stay-at-home Mom or a career Mom, we should all carry this title.
Author Unknown~
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