Just a "mum" ... Mum's the word ... Thx Clay and Carol V!

Just a Mum,,,JUST  EXCELLENT.
JUST  A  MUM?

A  woman, renewing her  driver's licence  ,
was asked by the woman at  Registry to  state her  occupation.
She hesitated,  uncertain how to  classify  herself.  

'What  I mean is, '  explained the woman at Registry,   
'do you have a job  or are you  just a ...?'

'Of course I have a  job,'  snapped the   woman.
'I'm  a Mum.' 

'We don't list 'Mum' 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.  
The  Clerk was obviously a career  woman,  poised,
efficient, and possessed of a  high sounding  title like,
'Official  Interrogator' or 'City   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  Mum.'     Motherhood!   

What a glorious career!   
Especially  when there's a title on the door.


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.'



Please send this to another  Mum,
Grandmother,

Aunt, And other friends you  know.  May  your troubles be less,  Your blessing  be more,    And nothing but happiness come through your door!

Be kinder than necessary. Everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.