But if we learn to think of it as anticipation, as learning, as growing, if we think of the time we spend waiting for the big things of life as an opportunity instead of a passing of time, what wonderful horizons open out! – Anna Neagle
My mom
didn’t really talk about it with
me. Despite anticipation having been one
who did get to read the banned book, I was less than prepared. When I was blessed enough to have graduated
to the big stage, being helpful the only way she knew how, my mom bought me the
horrific panties with belts inside and the mini (well…rather large and
uncomfortable) pads that were to go inside.
Talk about scary! No wonder they
didn’t want girls to read about the experience.
Let's fast forward years later to my daughters' experiences. As a mom, I hope I was a bit more open and let them ask questions. Luckily for them they didn't have to experience the belted panties. The creation of the stick to the panties version had appeared, with wings and much thinner to boot! Oh, and there were tampons for beginner kits readily available. They also taught about it in school to help them with their anticipation and preparation.
I guess the
big difference was the openness about that time of the month. For them it was so matter-of-fact and open, so much so, I was even horrified for a brief moment in time. When I was growing up, it was a secret time
of the month. Not them, they openly
shared it with their friends and even their boyfriends. Jeez…I wonder what Judy Blume would title the
book now…. “Oh God…not prepared again,
anyone got a tampon?”
As I approach 50, I’m anticipating the bittersweet transition from menstruating
to menopause. Nowadays it’s common for women to
talk openly about that big change. It is bittersweet
because of all those years anticipating and preparing for the time of the month, it had become, in a weird way, a comfortable routine. I’m anticipating the time when it is no
longer part of my life. A bit scary, but there's the excited
feeling of never having to go in that aisle again in the store, just think of the cost and time savings! Secretly I'm hoping that the incontinence aisle isn’t necessary for 20 more years either. The precursor to that change is the exciting roller coaster of emotions
splashed with sweat from the hot flashes.
Ah…now we’re talking eh? And of
course, there’s always the anticipation of not having to worry about getting
pregnant…
The next
big moment in a women’s life is that of child birth. The it from above going away prevents that
opportunity from ever happening again.
Again, a bittersweet thought. I
remember fondly thinking about the anticipation of the moment. Waiting, and waiting until the time when my
body was ready to give birth. Such a
beautiful personal experience. Having been blessed twice, it
makes me aware of the extent of the beauty.
Now those
thoughts are replaced with the anticipation of thinking about being a
grandmother someday in the distant future…I’m not really ready for that
moment yet!! But when the time is right, it will be nice to
relive the moments of birth watching someone else experience the joy and
anticipation. I can watch the moments
with eyes of a beholder instead of feeling my eyes pop out of my head during
labor. It’s not really that bad
ladies…just trying to put some persuasion in to my words of I can wait longer
to be a grandmother!
Both big milestones are due to our wonderful hormones.
They can drive a women’s life if you let them, or you can learn to
deal with them. I’d say if anything it
would be nice to be prepared for a hot flash instead of simply anticipate it and get
caught off guard. Same as when I chose natural child birth, I'm not choosing hormone replacements for this new stage. Not for everyone, but it works for me. I'm just dealing with the sweats best I can. Growing up, it wasn’t
cool for a girl to sweat. I avoided
anything that would cause me to sweat, especially in front of guys. Now, my favorite thing is to take a run and
give those crazy hormones a chance to sweat free and legit. I hear exercise is a great way to deal with hormones no matter what age you are!
Other
times though, I have been unsuccessful in predicting as well as preparing
despite all the anticipation of the wondrous hot flash moments. Layers, layers, layers are a girl’s best
friend. I’m like my daughters
though. While, I don’t remember my mom talking
about hot flashes at all, I am the
first one to announce their arrival and cool down as I peel off the sweater. The same sweater I’ll need a few minutes
later to cover up the chills. A fun book
to read to help get you into the mode is called “Hot Flashes from Heaven”. I enjoy her take on this new adventure. http://www.ronnasnyder.com/
I
don’t know what being 50 will really bring, but I’m anticipating the changes as great ones to look forward to.
FOCUSing again on the future, learning how my body responds to the
changes, adding a little reminiscing of the past to show how much I have grown is the best way to anticipate the changes.
Thanks
for stopping by – enjoy your moments of anticipation! Next week, we’ll look at the third “A” –
Ambitions.
PS…for
my photography moments of the week, I looked carefully for moments of
anticipation. I thought about taking
pictures of the “girl’s only aisle” at Walmart, but chose not to. How does one capture anticipation in pictures? Now that’s a challenge!
Oh dear, I must confess, I’m having a hot flash of embarrassment. As I look at my SD card I’ve got “nothing”. I was experimenting with the manual mode and
accidentally got it stuck on the BULB mode.
I had to research what that meant, how to get it unstuck, and finally I
can venture off and try to find some more things that depict anticipation. I think I need another cup of coffee…or maybe I need to take a run to legitimately sweat!
Copper's eyes always reflect some kind of anticipation or is it longing... |
I think he even dreams of the next thing he'll bark at or run after. |
Happy trails to the bunnies. |
Grabbing a cup of coffee... time to write a blog... |
Darn BULB mode didn't work... |
So many things to do, and here I sit anticipating words to write about in the blog. |
Coffee getting low in the cup. |
Ah...a refill - now it's time for a run to sweat out the hormones!! |
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