Well, it’s the celebration that we’ve all been waiting for—National Menopause Awareness Month! It’s September and evidently the time of year we are suppose to work really hard to generate awareness and help the world understand that menopause is real and needs to be a recognized affliction. That’s why it has its own month. Right? Having an official month means everyone on the planet needs to fully understand that women have issues at a certain age and it’s evidently a big problem. Google it if you don’t believe me.
So, here we go! Body of Eve is a fairly new blog on the scene of “life changes” and we are proud to recognize National Menopause Awareness Month. Sounds like I’m being a little silly? You are right. It’s seems like everything has a month or day. Nothing can just be “incognito,” especially at our age because we are going through menopause. And, we obviously need a shout out for an entire month.
What I really don’t understand is why people just can’t be satisfied with the major holidays. Apparently, we have to fill the calendar with officially named occasions, sufferings and oddities. We have to remind ourselves that something is important—to somebody. I’m not sure “who” in most cases. Here are a few of my favorites days this month:
- Lazy Mom’s Day (September 5th)—I’m still sitting on the couch!!
- Chicken Month (September)—Menopausal women and chickens, a truly great combination! Like thighs and breasts. . .
- Wonderful Weirdo Day (September 9th)— I’m planning right now what embarrassing thing I’m going to do in front of my teenage daughter and her friends on Tuesday.
- Good Neighbor Day (September 11th)—Can I really do this during menopause? Seems like a lot of pressure. . .
Please, I hope you understand that I’m not trying to diminish recognizing the plight of menopause or chickens—I am a PR professional for goodness sakes. Creating special months or days is PR 101 when it comes to trying to bring heightened attention to things. Especially chickens, apparently. But, bottom line—menopause is every day in every woman’s life during a certain stage. It’s not like cancer or diabetes—we are probably not going to die because we are suffering from menopausal moodiness or hot flashes. (Thank goodness!) Menopausal symptoms are inconvenient and sometimes just plain suck. But, we know they are going to end at some point and most often can find some relief.
All that said, I’m game to be supportive. I’m thinking I’d like to produce a public service video to be played during the month of September featuring a woman on a sidewalk moving to the Moffatt’s lyrics, “Here she comes, just a-walkin down the street singing do-wah diddy-diddy down diddy–do. And, onto the screen comes the words, “We look fine. We are not alone. We have chickens. Wonderful weirdos. And good neighbors, too. Again, we look fine. Do-wah diddy-diddy down diddy-do.”
I’m also game to promoting the month if it means that my husband will finally realize that that when I’m in an extra crappy mood it’s for a real reason. Maybe he is reading this and will understand to run versus engage during these moments. Hey, Mr. Stephanie. . .are you out there? I flushed the toilet while you were in the shower and accidentally scalded you because I’m absent-minded right now. And, I’m sure if it was another woman (not me, of course) suffering from menopause—she probably did it on purpose because she was bitten this morning by the menopausal bitchy bug. You’ve been in there a way too long anyway. Hmmm.
Basically, my point of all of this silliness is that instead of talking about all of the ways we suffer for 30 days—let’s raise a glass and toast this time of life. Keep reading our blog and we hope you will find simple and natural ways to help normalize menopause. It does not need to define us.
Now carry on. . . I have to go feed the neighbor’s chickens.
Heidi Diller says
Hilarious! Toasting with you. Heidi