What a great story! A keeper and one to pass one, to friends and
generations. Thanks, Ruth
----- Original Message -----
From: "Maggie Harrer" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, March 21, 2004 9:33 AM
Subject: Re: [Spam] Job Annoucement - MOMS


> Dear Ruth,
> Couldn't agree with you more.  Many a night I've had to struggle with
going
> out to meetings or staying with my daughter to help with homework...and
often
> she comes with me with her homework!  Maybe what we really need is a
"Museum of
> Mothers...the history of motherhood through the ages!"
>
> Here, however, is a story which I really love that came over the
internet -
> thought you might enjoy it.
>
> one day I found myself 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 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 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 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.....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".
>
> To all the mothers and grandmothers out there, may the wind sing to you
and
> the sun rise in your heart.
>
> All the best,
> Maggie
>
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