"How many years did you go to college, Daddy?"

My youngest daughter's voice sounded small and much further away than the back of our minivan.

"Four years, Sweetie."

My husband skillfully maneuvered our car around ice-encrusted pot holes in the parking lot of our local community college and the empty spaces served as a reminder that it was my husband's weekend off - because his bank isn't open on Sundays, not yet, anyway - the kids and I looked forward to having Daddy, all to ourselves.

We've been taking our children to museums, re-enactments, battlefields and historic villages ever since they can remember and the college does a nice job of presenting wonderfully interactive exhibits, especially in American history.

"How many years did you go to college, Mommy?"

I held my gaze on the campus library, as my husband quickly answered for me.

"Mommy started work after high school and now she works at home."

No, I do not have a college degree - I hit the proverbial pavement and had a full-time job waiting for me, one week after my high school graduation.  I soon received my first credit card in the mail and it didn't take me very long to understand one of the reasons my brother and I were never felt hard-pressed to attend college.

Not to mention, exactly why it's taken my parents years to pay off their debt.

I can't say that I really blame them - as teenagers immigrating to America with very little else to show for themselves than the clothes on their backs, literally - my parents held onto their full-time jobs, cleaned offices together at night and had a simple work ethic, knowing that one more day spent together, with food on our table and a roof over our heads, was a gift.

No, I didn't go to college - even though, I do believe it is an important life experience for everyone, per se - but, like my parents, I simply accepted the fact that working my way through life was, a career.

"Yeah, but you an always go back, right Momma?"

Yes, I thought perhaps one day - once my youngest child was in elementary school - then, our fourth child came along and I pretty much understood that being a full-time mom had, to all intents and purposes, taken precedence over whatever my future career ambitions might have been.

"Maybe, someday - but, for now, I like working with you guys way better!"

Being a mother for nearly 14 years - and longer than I've held a paying job - I don't necessarily feel guilty, embarrassed or less of an individual, anymore, whenever someone wants to know what school I graduated from or what it is I do, for a living.

[cringe]

No matter - I suck in my breath, stick out my chin and simply say that I'm a full-time mom currently working on four scholarships.

"Yeah, guys - Mommy retired so that she could take care of her honeys!"

Funny, my son would say that - not to mention, the fact that all my children are very bright - because, I just can't seem to remember what it was like, before kids!?!