Tale of the unknown Mother
A friend of mine went to the County Clerk s office to renew her driver s license. ‘Do you have a job, or are you just a…?’ the recorder asked her.
“My friend, fuming, snapped: ‘Of course I have a job. I m a mother.
“The recorder replied, ‘We don t list “mother” as an occupation. “Housewife” covers it.
“I found myself in the same situation one day when I was 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.
“She asked, ‘And what is your occupation?
“The words popped out of my mouth: ‘I m a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.
“The clerk paused, pen frozen in midair. I repeated the title slowly. The clerk wrote my pompous title in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
“The clerk said, ‘Might I ask just what you do in your field?
“I replied, ‘I have a continuing program of research in the laboratory and in the field. I m working for my Masters (the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, 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 in satisfaction rather than just money.’
“There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk s voice. She completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.
“As I drove into our driveway buoyed by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants—ages 13, 7, and 3. And upstairs, I could hear our new experimental model (six months old) 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 down on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to society than ‘just another…
“Home—what a glorious career! Especially when there s a title on the door.”
“If you find serenity and happiness, some people may be jealous. Be happy anyway —Mother Teresa
The article by an unknown mother is reprinted with permission of the newsletter From the Ranch. Copyright © The Joyful Noiseletter, May 2001, page 5, Used with permission