Just Another Story. More About My Mother #9

Page 36.
      My mother couldn't hold a job, though she tried.
     In 1961, when she was 42 and already had 4 other children, I was born. Then, she went back to school while I was still in diapers. She graduated and received her M.A. within a few years. Talk about intelligence and fortitude! For the next five+ years she tried to get full time employment. But, to no avail. Her personality and work history always got in the way.
     You see, she was extremely alienating, rigid, self-righteous and arrogant. She couldn't accept criticism and was so insecure that she interpreted any type of correction as an insult. These qualities made for one difficult employee.
     Around 1971 or so, she finally landed a job doing clerical work at Case Western Reserve University, her alma mater. I'll never forget how excited she was. She went out shopping with my sisters and bought a new wardrobe of "working girl" clothing. She was effervescent with excitement as she went off to work on that first Monday. According to family folk-lore though, by Friday, they told her that it wasn't working out because of her disruptive personality. She begged and pleaded for another chance, which they granted. She was subsequently fired the next Friday, again, just because she was so difficult to get along with.  
     On a few occasions, I saw her in action. I remember that when I was little, I was occasionally dragged to committee meetings, club meetings or what have you. I saw that even when dealing with superiors, let alone people of equal or lower status, she became officious, argumentative, contrary and defensive. It would be decades before I truly understood what I'd seen. If something wasn't done her exact way, she'd go through the roof, even in situations where she was the newest or least knowledgeable in the room. She was the first person in a group to raise a voice in anger and aggravation. Imagine that in a brand new co-worker or 3 days. This record followed her until the end.