Menopausal Zest*

I'm about to do something that might surprise people. Its hard to describe why I want to do this, but it does have something to do with menopausal zest. From an article by Mary Jane Horton, a medical writer for CBS, "More than two decades ago, anthropologist Margaret Mead said, "There is no more creative force in the world than a menopausal woman with zest."

I truly feel this. Energy, joy of living, happy and fulfilled. Free of the anxieties of child rearing, happy how my children turned out, and enjoying my grandchildren. I'm getting more creative and not afraid to be different, quirky or wrong. Its hard to explain, so I have attempted a lame adaptation of the poem, "When I am an old woman".


When I am an old woman, I will wear a diamond in my nose,
To show off the sparkle I feel in my soul.
I shall spend every penny on fabric and thread,
And spend endless hours making quilts for beds.
Handmaking treasures and passing them on,
So perhaps people will remember me fondly.

I'll live in jeans and t-shirts and comfortable shoes,
And consider putting on pantyhose to be a good day's exercise.
Put my hands in the dirt every summer day,
Turn my face to the sun, Kiss my pets,
And let my wrinkles show off the smile in my eyes.

I'll hold hands with my love for as long as we have.
And if he goes first, there will be no other.
But I'll turn my heart to others who need me,
Even digging ditches in Africa if need be.

I'll kindly say what I think and not fear to disagree.
Remember how hard it is to be young.
And look for beauty everywhere,
Even as my vision begins to dim.

Alas, I must work every day and pay all the bills,
Rebuild 401K's and emergency funds.
Mentor the next generation, care for the previous one,
And be part of the strongest generation.

But I'm bristling with energy and loving my life.
I've never felt such sparkle.
So when you see my nose diamond, don't be surprised.
I'm loving my life and reds hats just won't do!

*With apologies to Jenny Joseph and her poem, "When I am an old woman."