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This is a long one but sooo
lovely.
A
woman named Emily renewing her driver's license at the RTA 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 Emily. "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,
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 word 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
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". Send this to a Mum, Grandmother, Aunt, and other friends you know. May your troubles be less, your blessings more, and nothing but happiness come through your door! Take
care,
Judy
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name;
Judy Giesaitis RN CM MSc WHN CAFH
Position:
Health Consultant
Dept: CareLink
Company:
Australian Health Management Group
Address: Locked
Bag 3 WOLLONGONG NSW 2500
Phone:
1800.653.316
Fax:
02.4227.1678
Email:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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