Growing older gracefully… with your girlfriends…

I remember growing up when the words: “period” or “menopause” or the mere mention of a “sanitary napkin” was taboo… My mother would get really mad if my sister and I, or any girlfriend in fact, dared to speak about these “private female matters” in public! As I grew older, I came to be more free-spirited about discussing these things… Now, at my age, quickly approaching the big 5-0, new topics of conversation between me and my girlfriends include getting older and “menopause”…

The other night I was having drinks with my good friend from high school, and we were discussing hot flashes and PMS and ovulation... and I felt this wonderful warmth inside (NOT hot flash related), as well as a bond and appreciation towards all my girlfriends and sister who, with me, are growing older together. How extraordinary that this friend and I have known each other since we were 15, we’ve gone from copying each other’s Algebra or French test, to boyfriends, college, jobs, marriage, children… and now… menopause… how wonderful is that??? Really!

When I tried sharing this with a male friend he said: “Why are you so happy about it? It only means you’re getting old!” Another friend, when I told him I was feeling blue and needed to vent, told me to join a support group! And you know? That day I realized he was right! I needed a “support group”, especially now in my 40’s, closing in on my 50’s. I definitely needed the support of my girlfriends, who like me, were going through “the big change” or simply feeling the “tension” of getting older…

I am truly done with people with existential crisis, friends whose brains are in complete upheaval mode, unsatisfied, noisy… just noisy… I want friends who bring me peace, fun, laughter, amazing moments! I started surrounding myself with “easy” friendships, friends who, after hanging up the phone with them, left me with a smile on my face. And how about that? I found my own support group!

So next time I have a hot flash, or get moody, or I simply want to talk about the new white hair or wrinkle I found on myself, I call my girlfriends, and they know exactly what I mean! Of course… my biggest question about menopause is: After my period is gone, who am I going to blame my moodiness, bloating, and the massive urge to eat an entire chocolate bar on? That’s the only thing I’m worried about…

So yes, the clock doesn’t stop ticking… it’s actually ticking faster than I’ve ever felt before, youth is quickly leaving me behind, my children are becoming amazing young adults, there’s not much we can do about it, besides plastic surgery or Botox… So for now, I keep embracing getting older, enjoying the moments that make me happy, surrounding myself with incredible people, positive energy, and of course… a huge chocolate-almond bar! Or two…