Brochures at the ready. Many are tempted to leave the daily grind behind for warmer climes.
Going on a planned journey frequently means anticipation and excitement, plus a great deal of preparation.
We gather together all the essentials we cannot leave home without ~ backpack for some and several suitcases’ worth for others.
Though a rare traveller, I’m more of an ‘everything bar the kitchen sink’ type of person, always concerned I’ll leave something vital behind.
Not all the journeys we make in life are ones of choice.
Some are beyond our power to control the duration or effects they have on us.
In the poem below (featured in Issue 7: The Journey edition of ‘What the Dickens?’ magazine) I am sharing such a journey with you.
Jerked into wakefulness
- HRT
- Herbal/ alternative remedies
- A multiplicity of articles and books to inform us
- The fact that it is no longer a hidden or taboo subject
- Cool cotton sheets
- Fans/air conditioning
- Friends and others who companion me
- Less symptom severity as time goes on
- An understanding and sympathetic Other Half!
Any guys reading this needn’t think they get away scot-free. Men can experience their own version of menopause too (the andropause) though it is not so well recognised, written about or treated as the female one.
Not only that, Your Woman Will Need You . Tea (or cold drinks), sympathy, considerately keeping your distance where necessary, putting up with clothes/bedclothes on and off (not as much fun as it sounds) and coping with erratic moods or irritability from lack of restful sleep are basic requirements.
A sense of humour and an ability to stay cool and calm yourself are greatly desirable and very much appreciated, thank you.
Just don’t take this quote too seriously either:
” The hardest years in life are between 10 and 70″ ~ Helen Hayes (age 73)
“I refuse to think of them as chin hairs. I think of them as stray eyebrows” ~ Janette Barber
“There is no more creative force in the world than the menopausal woman with zest” ~ Margaret Mead
“Thirty five is when you finally get your head together and your body starts to fall apart” ~ Caryn Leschen
“Life is a journey, not a destination” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Life journeys are made all the more pleasurable for the people who share them with us. I look forward to your company on further exploration of life and faith journeys I’ll be making here.
You can read how it all began and why I’m exploring these themes if you click over here.
Great post Joy … it good to sometimes reflect that even though we are children of the living God, we still have human 'hiccups' … sending blessings xxx
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Thank you, Liana. I am all too familiar with those "human hiccups" as you so aptly put it! Bless you for your encouraging comment. 🙂 xx
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Joy I enjoyed this post, I am there with you walking the walk and I loved the poem. I am at the beginning of this stage of life and some days are a little challenging. But knowing every woman goes through this is some comfort. thanks for sharing your journey.
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Hi Kath. It's lovely to see you here! Yes, the journey can be challenging and wearisome, can't it? Sharing our stories can help us to get through the tough parts of this particular life challenge. God bless you as you journey through life and faith. 🙂 xx
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What a fun post Joy, I had to smile. Thanks to cancer at 40 my menopause happened overnight. So I didn't experience the horrors of menopause. The wrinkles I have, those that makes me looking alike a sharpie puppy dog when I smile…we'll I don't care anymore. I love this stage of my life and it isn't only the men that gets to have fun. Woman can to. I got to sail a boat etc. You won't believe how many of my friends think their lives are over at age 50. They need a kick in the butt. Maybe I should write and rant a bit about that. But I don't have the guts to do so. Unlike you. Or do you think I should? Love, Patricia
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Hi Patricia. It's lovely to see you here! I'm glad you enjoyed this post. Despite life being challenging in many ways, I think I can also say, "I love this stage of my life" and mean it. Being a writer/poet/blogger is the greatest fun ever, as is making new friends like you, and being a grandma too of course.I love your positive attitude! Go sail a boat; be the wonderful free-spirited woman God created you to be and enjoy every aspect of your life…including writing whatever you feel is good to say. You're definitely gutsy and brave enough to do that! Blessings and love to you, my friend. Xxx 🙂
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