Summary: "This collection of essays focus on the uncomfortable physical realities of menopause including hot flashes, unusual hair growth, and mood swings. Angela shares personal examples that reveal critical strategies for managing change: a sense of humor, reliance on scripture and an unfailing faith. The book includes stories or episodes in parenting my two teen boys as they were going through puberty as I was beginning menopause. At the end of each essay is a scripture and space to write a reflection.
Menopause sample stories for review by Angela Verges
The hard leather like chair was in a reclined position. I rested my head against the back of the faux leather. My mouth was wide open. Dr. R. touched my gums with his metal dental instrument. He asked questions as he gave special attention to each of my teeth.
“Has anything changed since your last visit?”
“Yes, menopause,” I said.
“Oooh, yes,” Dr. R. dragged the words from his mouth. That can cause changes in your gums and teeth.
“Hmph, give it to me straight, Doc. How much time do I have left with this set of teeth?” I asked.
He didn’t give my teeth an expiration date. His cheekbones raised beneath the mask covering his mouth. A gentle smile was developing. I told Doctor R that from that point on I would be smiling every chance I got.
During a different visit Doctor R. examined my teeth further. He pulled and tugged on my cheek, touched my teeth with a gloved hand and said, “Your teeth look great.”
I attempted a gurgled response, and he removed his hand. I smiled and said, “Thanks.” What I really wanted to says was, my teeth should look good, I bought most of them from you. Crowns, caps, fillings, oh, my.
“And he said unto them, ‘Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician heal thyself’: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.” Luke 4:23 KJV
Nutrition – Food for Thought
It’s expensive to eat healthy. I started a nutrition program with a group of ladies at the fitness gym where I have a membership. One of the ladies mentioned Ezekiel bread as something healthy to eat. I went to the store in search of this Ezekiel bread. At first I didn’t even know what they were saying.
I found this bread in the Organic section of the store and it cost $5.99. Yes, $5.99 for bread that had the name of a prophet from the Bible. My thought was…Is this bread expensive because it comes with a scripture or a prophetic word? “Thou shalt not overeat.”
Is this the biblical version of a fortune cookie? I’m not comparing the word of God to a fortune cookie. Well, I am, but I’m not saying this as being superficial. Both include a message. The Ezekiel bread does, in fact, have a scripture reference on the package.
We need manna to keep our bodies functioning, just like a car needs fuel. Sometimes you may choose the mid-grade gasoline for your vehicle; sometimes the high octane is your choice. Comparatively speaking, Ezekiel bread can be viewed as that high octane fuel that you sometimes choose for your body.
“Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself.” Ezekiel 4:9
The Football Scrimmage
Commitment, dedication, devotion these are the things my teen son focuses on during football season. The same is required for parenting through football season. This was evident on the day of our first scrimmage of the season.
As I backed my car out of the garage, rain pelted the rear of the car. The sound of the drops increased in volume as the entire car emerged from the shelter of the garage. I adjusted my windshield wipers from slow to medium speed.
There was a scattering of parents sitting on the metal bleachers when I arrived at the football field. I walked up with my stadium chair strapped on my shoulder, an umbrella in one hand, and a blanket under my arm. This game was the Blue and White game, where the varsity players scrimmaged each other rather than another team.
I stood along the chain-linked fence with my rain gear, debating whether I wanted to stand or sit. I stood, rain bouncing from my umbrella and my eyes scanning the field for my son. There were no numbers on the player’s shirts. I could not see my son’s signature dreadlocks dangling from his helmet.
Heavy raindrops pelted my umbrella and dripped onto the back of my pants. Within minutes I was soaked and still searching for my son. I kept my eyes on the defensive players, wondering why I was there. I couldn’t identify my son form the other players. Commitment, dedication, devotion.
Finally, I identified my son by his confident stride and blue Nike cleats. Mission accomplished. I saw my son maneuver a couple of plays, then shuffled my way back to my car. By this time, I felt like a toddler in a wet diaper. I just wanted to go home and change clothes.
Once in the car I sat a few minutes to collect my thoughts. This situation deserved to be a blog post. The players began to leave the field. The game was called due to the rain.
My son walked over to the car and said, “I’m mad that they stopped the game. We barely played.” For him, the rain was no obstacle. He just wanted to play. For this Mama, I wanted a fuzzy bath robe and socks.
“For this child I prayed and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him.”
1 Samuel 1:27-28 ESV
Angela Verges is an award winning humorist (in training, waiting to be discovered). She has shared humor through blogging, women’s retreats and other Christian venues. Angela is a graduate of Michigan State University and mother of two young adult sons. She uses humor to survive the throes of parenting.
Author Bio:
Angela is a lover of words, coffee, and books. Relaxing for Angela is sitting at her favorite coffee shop with her laptop, sipping steaming coffee and starring out a window. She encourages the use of humor for healing and believes you can relieve tension, one laugh at a time.
Social Media Links...
@AngelaVerges
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Book is available at Amazon
Sounds like a bloody good book, menopause for me is a distant memory
ReplyDeleteLucky you to be over it. I'm still knee deep in it, unfortunately.
DeleteJo-Anne, glad you survived it (-:
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