As a young missionary mother in the jungles of Panama, I was told this true story…
A few months ago, a young mother rushed up to me, fuming with indignation. “Do you know what you and I are?” she demanded. Then, in detail, she explained that the lady at the DMV had asked for her occupation and when she hesitated, the lady said, “What I mean is, do you have a job or are you just a……?
“Of course, I have a job, she said, “I’m a mother!”
We don’t list ‘mother’ as an occupation…’housewife’ covers it,” said the recorder emphatically! (pause)
Well, I forgot all about her story until the day I found myself in the same situation, this time at City Hall. The clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high-sounding title like “City Registrar. And what is your occupation?”, she probed. Now, 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 RESOURCES!”
The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in mid-air, and looked up as though she had not heard me correctly. I repeated the title SLOWLY, emphasizing the most significant words!
Then I stared with wonder as my pompous 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?” Without a trace of hesitation in my voice, I heard myself reply:
I have a continuing program of research (what mother doesn’t!), both in the laboratory and in the field (normally, I would have said indoors and outdoors!). I’m working for my Masters (that would be my husband, kids, dogs, one cat…!) and I already have nine credits (2 daughters, 3 granddaughters, 4 grandsons!). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (I dare you to disagree!) and I often work 14 hours a day (NO!…make that 24Hrs).
But the job is more challenging than most of the run-of-the-mill
careers and the rewards are in satisfaction rather than just money!”
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice, as she finished the questionnaire, stood up and personally escorted me to the door! I HAD SCORED A BEAT ON BUREACRACY AND I HAD GONE ON OFFICIAL RECORD AS SOMEONE MORE DISTINQUISHED AND INDISPENSABLE TO MANKIND THAN” just a mother!”
Mothers are the first book read and the last book put aside in every child’s library. Our children are our most valued investments. They are all that is left of us when we are gone. There is nothing in life that can replace the warmth of our child’s tiny hand in ours or the absolute trusting way in which they look to us for reassurance!
We can’t do it all… but, we can be careful to never sacrifice
the permanent on the altar of the immediate.
