I had the best laugh with my 14 year old last night and I have to share it. I am beyond sure you are all going to appreciate it.
Now, this conversation happened out of curiosity and everything was said with love, earnest, and well let’s face it pure honesty, gosh darn truth and genius. If you are in perimenopause or menopause, get ready to chuckle. A little back story.
Recently, one of my sons asked me why I cry so much lately. Another one nodded and said, “yeah mom, like seriously, what’s going on? Are you, like, all depressed or something?”
I explained to them the obvious – that I’m sad with their old brother going to college – but also that I’m going through perimenopause and a lot of physical changes are happening along with my hormones (like theirs) being all sorts of out of whack. I said this means I also cry a heck of a lot easier, sometimes I’m a little less energetic or down – not depressed, just down – and that I’m indeed a little bit snappier.
All that to say… Two nights ago, as I washed the dishes in pure silence (yes, it was beautiful and yes, I was far from complaining that I was doing it by myself, again, pure silence!) my 14 year old wandered into the kitchen. I don’t think I had been particularly moody that day or had cried a lot; at least not in front of him. I guess I was wrong. “So mom, how long does this menopause thing last?” he asked sweetly.
“Oh, I don’t know, a couple of years, I’ve heard. At least five of having full blown symptoms.” I replied. (I picked an easy, low answer. I didn’t want to, you know, scare the crap out of him)
“I see. And what exact year are you in?” He asked, again, in all seriousness.
I chuckled. “Oh sweetie, THAT IS THE BEST PART! I have no idea!! I could be in year 1, year 2, year 0 of 10. Isn’t this fun?! Oh and by the way, I’m actually in perimenopause which is the phase before menopause.” I replied, again laughing.
I didn’t take offense. What else can I do but laugh?! He looked at me and said as deadpan as can be, “Wait. So this mood of yours, like, we’re stuck with it for five more years?!”
I laughed and honestly, I really haven’t been that awful. “YEP! But I’m doing my best to manage it. Don’t forget, I’m also under extra stress with your brother heading out and running the house renovation. It’s gonna get better. Promise.”
“Uh huh. Yeah.”
As he walked away, I yelled after him, “Sweetie, don’t forget, I’m not in menopause, I’m in my METAMORPHOSIS!” The other night, this sweet child had accidentally called menopause metamorphosis when he couldn’t remember the word (he flips words around just like me.) And honestly, is that not the BEST mistake ever?!!!
Heck yes I am in a metamorphosis!!! I’m trapped inside a frigging (cold for me, hot for many of you) cocoon and transforming into a new version of me that is going to fly freer than EVER when I bust out. I’m coming out more colorful than before. I inched my way in because I wasn’t living my fully authentic self and was weighed down, but now?
Now that I am living more and more of who I want to be? And following my heart more? Oh, oh heck yes I am in a metamorphosis and transforming into the best version of myself. Bring. It. On. When Gray Happens we go there and add a splash of color to brighten it up! You know, years ago, I made a gray rhino orange. That was my first metamorphosis 😉 I decided to transform from charging when frustrated, overwhelmed, worried and well, angry to responding with warmth.
Gray–>Orange. And now, now I am more than ever paying attention to that transformation because perimenopause is indeed – as my son clearly has noticed – making me a little crankier 😉 Anywho, I hope these two little stories made you smile. They will always make me chuckle. Kids, teens, they say the darndest things. How goes your metamorphosis?!
Sending my warmth to go with your strength, today and always, especially if today is feeling more inching forward than flying free.
xoxo, Sheila
🧡 The Orange Rhino
