Dream of Dragons: a Korean proverb

In Korea, dragons have traditionally represented courage, good fortune and greatness;
dreaming of them is a sign of good things to come
.


Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mother's Day!

From an e-mail forward.... enjoy!
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I had heard about a woman who, when renewing her driver's license, was asked by an employee at the DMV office to state her occupation.
The woman hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
"What I mean,“ explained the DMV employee, “is, do you have a job or are you just a.....?”
“Of course I have a job,'” snapped the woman. “I’m a Mom.”
“We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation. I think ‘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 this? 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], both 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 I 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]. The job is definitely 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, (our youngest, 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.

3 comments:

Jayme said...

LOVE IT! Thanks for sharing, made me giggle! I completely agree!

Krista said...

That is great!

kelly said...

Awesome :)