JUST A MOM .

This story has been going around for a long time but seems fitting to unearth it and dedicate it to Nancy Clark and her new blog.

JUST A MOM
A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's 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 the woman. "I'm a Mom"
"We don't list 'Mom' 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 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, (first the Lord and then the whole 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!

Did you see Karen?

Karen, made a surprise visit to SLC for the joint b-day party (See Nancy Clark's earlier blog.)

A great time was had by all.

Aunt Karen enjoyed visiting many of her neices and nephews (too numerous to mention).

Ya Baby. See ya soon!!!!!

To knee or not to knee

Today was surgery day for Grant.

We ended up waiting two and a half hours beyond the scheduled time. (The Doc had a complication in his prior surgery.) Grant took advantage of the time. Even in the room designed for his pre-ops he was still tethered to his computer.

Dr. Marcus wanted to be sure we got a photo of his red sox cap.

Surgery took about 45 minutes, recovery about 2 hours.

Home at last.

opps

I can tell I am not a "seasoned blogger". How do I know? I had my camera with me for the whole exciting weekend that Stephanie and Steve were here and I did not take a single picture of them. Stephanie came to Manassas on Thursday while Steve was in class. Nancy came to visit with her three cute children and Richard dropped in for a quick lunch. Naomi enjoyed so much getting acquainted with her new friend Stephanie. When Richard arrived Naomi called out "come here daddy there is someone here you have to meet." This brought explanations of how Stephanie and Richard are like Naomi and Asher. That is obviously a concept for a later time-she simple did not get it. Sylvia Suhaka visited in the afternoon. I remembered to take a picture of Kevin and Kelly when they came that evening but Stephanie had already gone back to DC. On Saturday we had lunch at Richard's and Nancy's where Steve was able to join us for a short time on his way to the airport. It was great to see him even if it was short. We sat around reading and enjoying Chris' blogs. I had the camera with me but I still forgot to snap it-luckily Nancy took a picture or two. Stephanie stayed over Saturday night taking advantage of a cheaper airline ticket. So we all joined up that evening at Macaroni Grill. Once again I took my camera but did not take any pictures. So I am thinking I am just halfway there to being a seasoned blogger. In the future in addition to taking the camera with me I will try to remember to use it. Anyway we all had a great time. I can attest to the fact that Steve and Stephanie look great even though I don't have photos to prove it. (BTW when I say we all got together that includes Kevin, Kelly, Dad, Richard, Nancy, Stephanie and myself and Steve, Naomi, Asher and Isaiah for lunch as well.)