Today took me down the memory lane of teen years, the struggle and shift into womanhood.
Do we really forget things, or do we just look away from them?
Yesterday, I was waiting in line for my turn and there was a young lady next to me who was about to leave her seat. She didn’t realize her clothes were soiled. I quietly let her know, and she said, “I didn’t prepare for this with a shaky hands”
I pulled out my kit and said there is an unused pad inside.
She hurried out, cleaned up, and came back settled.
Then she asked, “Are you having your period too ?”
I said no. She stared at me and replied in pidgin, "I hope you no go use my womb o."
I could not help but laugh. I told her, “I’m not that kind of person.” She was still concerned to know and I said to her you should have asked this questions before using it.
She replied life is both a trust and risk.
I had to explained why I always keep pads in my purse. It goes back to when I was a teenager at a camp meeting.
It was a beautiful bright day.
That day I wore a white skirt and blue shirt, and I was active in everything, sitting in the front because I didn't want distractions. At some point, people started laughing and pointing in my direction, especially the boys. I didn’t know my period had started. Yes I was taught about puberty and hygiene but I didn't know when it would show up, it caught me unprepared. A young woman wrapped a jacket around my waist and walked me out.
I cried so much and just wanted to go home. It felt like I wanted to disappear from the camp. She took me to her corner, helped me change, and tried to comfort me. For the rest of the day I couldn’t walk around freely because everyone was talking about it.*
That incident made me sad and withdrawn. At some point I even wished I was a boy. I don’t know if I’d call it trauma, but since that day there’s always been a pad in my purse or bag. To prepare for emergency or invasion like today.
When I finished telling the story, she said, “I can imagine the white skirt with red ketchup.”
Today, I’m happy to be a woman that understands her body and feminity more.
**Lesson learned: preparedness can prevent embarrassment.
Empathy and kindness is more than a feeling but action to pass it forward.
Understanding my body better has built confidence and eliminated fear.
Trust and risk dwells together.******
Image is mine.