THE FACTS OF LIFE

Back in the 1960's, when I was a teenager, we had health class in school. It was the dullest class imaginable. I have no memory, other than going to class and yawning at the book. As far as I remember I used it as a study hall. It was the closest thing we had to sex education, which is why I was not too bright about sex. I avoided the occasion because I knew I could get pregnant, and that wasn't on my immediate agenda. I grew up in New England (home of the Puritans) with a mother who had handed me a book when I was in grade school which explained how babies were conceived. "Read this."  To her credit, my mother was a dutiful person, she just didn't grasp the warm and cuddly part of life. I think her attitude about life and instruction was: "Here are the facts. Deal with them."

As I look back, I am totally impressed that I survived my own life. I kick back in my big red chair and marvel daily at the sanity (or appearance thereof) in my life. Entering puberty was like taking a trip into the Everglades with only hip boots for protection.  Was that a log, an alligator, or a crocodile? Was that a vine or a snake?  I have always been nearsighted. Discernment only came through trial and error...mostly error.

Yet here I am. Just when I got to the point where I was able to feel good about myself and my ability to make better decisions, my body started to act as strangely as it had when I hit puberty...only now I am in puberty in reverse...and no one has given me an instruction manual for this! I figure I will record my experience and leave it here on the Internet for someone to come across when when it's her turn (or his turn to understand what's happening to her).

Feet firmly planted in mid air, I carry on.