A person will live through many seasons during their lifetime. If we take the time to use the wisdom of our elders, our experiences would likely be easier and more productive.
But,,,since we enter our most important season as a young adult, or at least we are often in the role of an adult, we are convinced that we have all the answers.
My perspective is from the view of a woman who, by the grace of God, has managed to survive both the 'calm' and the 'storms' of many seasons.
Generally, the time period between the ages of 45-65 is considered to be midlife. I suspect that as baby boomers continue to age, the ages will change to make more people feel,,,better??
The beginning of my midlife experience was full of drama. The actual physical changes brought on by menopause were lost within the many storms. I remember my emotions being a mess; but the direction of my life was painful,,at best. I often felt as I imagine a person riding a raging bull would feel.
I survived.
The topic of menopause has been beat to death. Women have always sought the counsel of other women to help guide them through what can be both a physical and emotional roller coaster.
There is a wealth of information that is readily available for women and their families
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The challenges women face before, during and after menopause are real; not imagined.
It would be wise for her husband and children to find out how they can make her transition easier,,,for the entire family.
Again, knowledge is power.
Many women are also faced with serious health conditions during this time in their life. This is strictly an observation of the frequency of occurrences among my peers; including family and friends.
As we get older, we are forced to come face to face with our mortality.
Women also take the time to reflect on their lives. A woman is prone to take a closer at 'who' she is, rather than the obvious physical changes that the media constantly throws in her face.
Men and Midlife
When little girls hit puberty, the topic is not hidden away or whispered about. Even now, the 'becoming a woman' message is still being passed along.
Hopefully, young mothers are savvy enough to prepare their daughters for the hormonal changes that will continue throughout their lifetime.
Most men are clueless regarding hormones until their wife has a hot flash, or bursts out crying for no apparent reason.
Since men have never had a period, been pregnant, or given birth, he is unable to relate to the power of hormones.
Some seem to find the topic somewhat amusing.
How many men are prepared for the physical changes that will happen to their bodies during the aging process?
How many men are prepared for the emotional changes they will face during the aging process?
I suspect the answer to both questions is the same: Very few.
Why?
Because men refuse to accept that 'male menopause' is a fact of their lives.
Older women have always said that a woman who is full of drama before menopause will be three times more dramatic during menopause.
My experience has taught me that the same is often true regarding men.
If he has always been delusional and paranoid; he will be off the charts during midlife.
He will also take time to reflect on his life.
The question will soon become whether his glass is half full or simply,,,empty.
He will often seek someone to stroke his spirit, his ego, and,,his penis.
He is afraid to ask himself if maybe, just maybe he is not as,,,firm as he once was??
He and his male friends don't discuss such horrors.
His wife loves him too much to tell him about,,,the changes in his body and stamina.
A man whose manhood is stored within his penis, will fear the entire aging process.
He will fight tooth and nail to slow the process down.
When he is forced to accept changes, he just might blame his wife.
Why?
Because it is easier to blame her than accept what,,is usually a natural experience.
For many men, this is also a time when serious health issues become reality.
Prostate problems can break a man's spirit as well as his body.
*What most men fail to realize is that if he has a woman in his life who genuinely loves him, she will love him throughout their journey.
He does not have to face his challenges or fears alone.
She will support him and adjust her needs to blend with both his needs and his ability
Most mature women need loving intimacy more than they need a rock hard penis.
One of the beautiful aspects of a couple growing old together, is the experience of making the journey together; any journey.
*Most women say the most difficult challenge is being faced with the sadness that many men feel because they feel they have lost their manhood.
If men would just give their women a chance to prove that their manhood has little to do with their sexual abilities.
A man's manhood lives in the core of his spirit.
Our spirits only grow stronger as we grow older.
If we all could can embrace this lesson, our lives would likely be more meaningful.
Nothing is as firm as it used to be, our bodies shift in ways that can leave your speechless. You can either laugh or cry.
How wonderful to be able to do either,,together.
The early seasons of our lives are filled with growing. We make many mistakes, and hopefully, learn enough along the way, not to make those same mistakes again.
We raise our children and pray that we did not scar them beyond repair.
We work hard to prepare a foundation for what is yet to come.
I firmly believe that how we handle our middle years will greatly affect our senior years.
For me, the adjustments I was faced with during my middle seasons has fine tuned all of the life lessons I have learned during my lifetime.
I believe that God gives us a chance to put all of our trust in Him as we ride out the storms that will shake our core.
If we can just hold on to God, we can coast safely along the path that will lead us to our next season.
It is during this season that we will fully reap the blessings from the garden we have sown.
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