I AM ONLY A MOTHER

The officer at the Driving License counter asked

the lady "What is your occupation?"

The woman seeking renewal of her license seemed

to be puzzled. So the officer said "Ma'am, are you

employed, have your own business
or........

The woman replied "Oh, yes!! I have a full time

occupation. I am a mother"

Officer: "We don't have 'mother' as an option for

occupation. I will write it down as 'Housewife'.

That takes care of all questions."

This had happened long ago, and was forgotten.

Years later when I went to get my license, the

Public Relations Officer was a somewhat pompous

woman.

"Your occupation?" she asked in a rather

authoritative tone.

I just had an inspiration and replied "I am a

researcher in the field of Child Development,

Nutrition and Inter-personal Relationships"

The lady officer stared at me in amazement. I

calmly repeated my statement and she wrote it

down verbatim. Then, unable to conceal her
curiosity, she politely asked "What exactly do you

do in your profession, Ma'am?"

I was feeling good about having described my

occupation so calmly and confidently. So I replied

"My research projects have been going on for
a number of years (Mothers never retire!!). My

research is conducted in the laboratory as well as

in the field. I have two bosses. (One is God and the

other is my entire family). I have received two

honours in this field. (A son and a daughter) My

topic is considered to be the most difficult part of

sociology.(All moms will agree!!). I have to
work more than 14 hours every day. Sometimes

even 24 hours are not enough and the challenges

are tougher than many other professions. My
compensation is in terms of mental satisfaction

rather than money"

I could see that the officer was thoroughly

impressed. After completing the licensing

formalities, she came to the door to see me
off.

This new viewpoint about my occupation made

me feel much better on my way back home. I was

welcomed by my 5 year old research assistant at

the door. My new project (my 6 month old baby)

was energetically practicing her 'music'.

I had earned a small victory over the Governmental

red tape today. I was no longer 'merely a mother',

instead I was now a highly placed functionary in a

service vital for mankind -Motherhood!!

'Mother' - Isn't it a great title. Fit to be added to the

nameplate on the door!! By this standard, grandmothers

deserve to be called Senior Research Officers, and Great

Grandmothers qualify as 'Research Directors'. Aunts and

other ladies of that age group can be called
'Research Facilitators'