The Job Title of MOM

I do not know who I received the following story from.  I can tell you that it was printed out for me on December 28th, 2005.  With many stay at home mom's feeling they are not important, almost invisible these days, (I have been there in my  ‘younger self' days) I felt it was a good reminder that your worth comes from no one outside of yourself and your God.  You do not need validation from anyone but yourself.   We are all uniquely wonderful, magnificently created beings!!

Also, from a deep truth, Mom is a title even beyond what is listed here.  We are Counselors, Nurses, Teachers, Peace Makers, Politicians, Deal Makers and Breakers, Chefs, Artisans, Cleaning Diva's, Event Planners….the list goes on, ultimately MOM.

So the Mom story requested goes:

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 am 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 Town Hall.  The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like, “Official Interrogator” or “Town Registrar.”  As I approached, she probed:  “What is your occupation?”

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 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 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 outdoors).

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 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.”

Respect!

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.

Driving 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 on bureaucracy!  And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than “just another Mom.”

Glorious Career!

Motherhood!  What a glorious career!  Especially when there is a title on the door.  On the door of the heart…

Does this make grandmothers “Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations”?  Great-grandmothers Executive Senior Research Associates?”  Absolutely!  Wouldn't it also make Aunts “Associate Research Assistants”?!

So, here we are.  I was asked to share this with another Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, and Friends.  I have just done so.  I'm sure that we can all relate this to ourselves or someone we have known at one time or another.

In conclusion, I hope this has made you smile.  Hopefully, it has also reminded you that you are important and also that each of is indeed an important part of the whole.

Be sure to leave your thoughts and titles below 🙂  Oh my and if you are a Mom and a Blogger…woo-hoo!