My Joyful Menopause Story~Menopause Awareness Month { #PoiseFab5 }

I look on my brilliantly glorious life as a giant canvas on which I am splattering as much paint as I possibly can!!! Being of a certain age, I have earned the right to speak my mind. Speaking my mind is not something I often do, but listening { oh yeah } that’s my game. I embrace this one wild, wonderful life I have been gifted and ALL that it has to offer and teach me!

Menopause Awareness Month

I look at menopause as a beautiful rite of passage…my birthright so to speak. This is when one becomes a wise elder of the tribe called women. A rite of passage, which marks a time when a person reaches a new and significant change in his/her life, can be meaningful and pleasant or something to be endured. Embracing it or going through it kicking and screaming; either way it is a choice one makes on how to transition through…and it is always memorable.

I vividly remember when it began, at least the first visceral symptom I am aware of. I was 40. It was in a storage closet of Kimberly-Clark in Roswell, GA. I had one of the guys { Herman } getting a large box off the top shelf. When he reached up for the box, I felt a rush of heat spill over me from my head and flow slowly down to my toes. It was intense,like I was on fire from the inside.. He was looking at me very strangely. He said, “You’re glowing!” Profound words for a 20-something and the way I have referred to my hot flashes ever since.

I lead him back into the office area where two wise elders of the tribe were working. I sat down with my box and started to fan myself with a notebook. I was drained and HOT!!! As I fanned and sighed, the older women looked at me. I said, “It is hot in here.” They exchanged a knowing smile and my boss said laughingly, “Time for hormones!”

Now this may sound laughable to you, but I was not laughing at all. I thought they were nuts as I was barely 40. However,  I was open to discussion. That is where and when these beautiful southern ladies had what Poise calls “The 2nd Talk” with me. These girlfriends told me facts then shared their experiences, and both felt that hormone replacement was the way to go. (I opted for a more natural way.) They told me about the side effects of aging in menopause – the hot flashes and night sweats. I listened carefully as they told their individual menopause stories. That was about 20 years ago and I still treasure that talk as a valued rite of passage for me as a woman.

So that brings me here today to a place where I can share that rite of passage with my readers, most of whom are near the age when symptoms of menopause begin. Read a great article called, The Nuts and Bolts of Menopause: What’s Happening to Me? on the Poise website for more information.

There are many things about menopause which can be confusing, starting with the definition of menopause. Many assume the changes you experience are a sign of menopause, but in fact many of the symptoms you experience occur in the perimenopause which is the time that precedes menopause. Menopause by definition is a year of no periods. This is not a very helpful definition!

BTW, the Poise website is loaded with great information and education from experts and other women just like us. They want us to approach menopause in a Whole New Way! Poise even has a blog and a blogger, Lori, who answers questions about menopause and helps you find the resources you need as you journey through your menopause. So let’s celebrate Menopause Awareness Month by sharing our stories. You can share yours below or write your own blog post!!!

Grandmotherhood~The Most Glorious Rite of Passage

The use of the prefix “grand-” dates from the early 13th century, from the Anglo-French graund. The term was used as a translation of Latin  magnus.The prefix “great-” represents a direct translation of magnus to English. In Old English, the prefixes ealde- (old) and ieldra- (elder) were used (ealdefæder/-m?dor and ieldrafæder/-m?dor). A great-grandfather was called a þridda fæder (third father), a great-great-grandfather a f?owerða fæder (fourth father), etc. -Wikipedia

I was born to be a Grandmother. My sweet baby girl (SBG) made up a name for me…GeeMee! At least that is how I spell it. We have a special bond even though she lives some 10 hours away. Through the invention of Skype and FaceTime, I can stay as close to her as I want. Elmo, her very favorite of all toys, sits by my computer so we can chat with him via Skype.

Loving The Poise Fab 5 Feminine Wellness Products

This year at BlogHER, I was introduced the Poise Fab Five Feminine Wellness products. I was so ecstatic that: 1- they were amazing products that address every facet of menopause and 2-I still own stock in K-C and this is a winning line for sure! I took my samples and have loved incorporating them into my daily life. I am shouting about these products from the rooftop. I don’t leave home without my Roll-On Cooling Gel and Body Cooling Towelettes! EVER.

Poise Poise Feminine Wellness { #PoiseFab5 } products:

1. Poise* Roll-On Cooling Gel
2. Poise* Body Cooling Towelettes
3. Poise* Feminine Wash
4. Poise* Panty Freshener
5. Poise* Personal Lubricant

I found them in my Walmart last week. I almost jumped for joy. The store on my island had three of the products…see my whole shopping spree here.

The larger Walmart off the island had four of them…hopefully your Walmart will have them all!

I still have not found the Poise Panty Fresheners, but I am determined!!! Look for these today girlfriends…you will love them as much as I do!!!

 Life may offer us a river of trials; but it also provides a sea of opportunities. It is up to me as to where I choose to swim. –REPism

Check out the ever fun filled All You magazine at Walmart for information on menopause and the $1.00-off coupon? The Poise brand page on Walmart.com has the Fab 5 videos and  a $1.00-off coupon.
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I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ Poise #CBias #SocialFabric” All opinions, ideas, recipes and photos are my own.