A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk'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 a Mom."
"We don't list 'Mom' 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."
"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it?  I do not 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 mid air 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?"

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 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 6 month 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 official records as someone more
distinguished and indispensable to mankind than
"just another Mom."  
  
Motherhood!

  Does this make grandmothers
"Senior Research associates 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." 
 


May your troubles be less,
Your blessing be more,
And nothing but happiness
come through your door!

  

This weekend, Mom's ever where will be counting their blessings and remembering the things their kids said and did when they were little.  Whether it was a peanut butter and jelly kiss or their child chasing flutterbys ... we all have stories ... because kids really do say the darndest things!



JACK (age 3) was watching his Mom breast-feeding his new baby sister. After a while he asked: 'Mom why have you got two? Is one for hot and one for cold milk?'


MELANIE (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was. Granny replied she was so old she didn't remember any more. Melanie said, 'If you don't remember you must look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to six.'


STEVEN (age 3) hugged and kissed his Mom good night. 'I love you so much that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window.'


BRITTANY (age 4) had an earache and wanted a pain killer. She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a child-proof cap and she'd have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: 'How does it know it's me?'


SUSAN (age 4) was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. 'Please don't give me this juice again,' she said, 'It makes my teeth cough.'


MARC (age 4) was engrossed in a young couple that were hugging and kissing in a restaurant. Without taking his eyes off them, he asked his dad: 'Why is he whispering in her mouth?'


CLINTON (age 5) was in his bedroom looking worried. When his Mom asked what was troubling him, he replied, 'I don't know what'll happen with this bed when I get married. How will my wife fit in?'


JAMES (age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: 'The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt.' Concerned, James asked: 'What happened to the flea?'


TIFFANY (age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather wrinkled woman her Mom knew. Tiffany looked at her for a while and then asked, 'Why doesn't your skin fit your face?'


The Sermon I think this Mom will never forget .... this particular Sunday sermon...'Dear Lord,' the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. 'Without you, we are but dust...' He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four year old girl voice, 'Mom, what is butt dust?' 


Happy Mother's Day !!!