So, I was in my early forties when it began. “When what began?” Glad you asked. Feet under the cover, feet out of cover. Then it went to covers on, covers off all through the night. “Why is my pillow so hot and soaking wet, and why am I flipping it back and forth to the cool side throughout the night?” Then there was that first morning when my husband woke up and asked “why are your pajamas on the floor next to the bed?” “They were wet and I was hot!” That was an ongoing trend for quite some time.

And the first time he caught me with my head in the freezer… “What? I was hot!”

I’ve always been in tune with my body and I knew it was out of whack. The “hot _____s would just sneak upon me. “Did you turn the heat up?” I would check; nope it was set the same as the last time I checked. That fan blowing on my side of the bed in the middle of winter was the best! Breaking out in a full on sweat while sitting in a meeting with my boss wasn’t unusual. I always kept something in my hand to use as a fan to try and cool my body down.

I had a lot going on at work with special projects and keeping up with the work load. I would come home from work, go straight to my bedroom and shut the door. It was my way to distress from the day. But then things took another shift. I knew it was more when I would be sitting at the table having a meal with my husband and thoughts like, “why is he chewing like that” or the mere sound of his voice was annoying. I didn’t hate him nor was I angry with him, but mostly everything he did seemed to annoy me. Geesh Paula…he was just chewing.

As I shared the occurrences with other women in my family, they indicated that it sounded like perimenopause. MENOPAUSE (was all I heard)! I am not old enough for menopause. They proceeded to tell me how early they began to display signs of perimenopause. Menopause…nah.

Approximately one month later, after the “MENOPAUSE” conversation, I found myself sitting in my doctor’s office for my annual check up. The doctor asked all the pertinent questions and if I had any concerns. I shared what had been happening and asked if it was possible to be tested for menopause. My doctor felt the same way as I did. I was too young. Hmph, I told them! However, I had a feeling (a hot feeling) it was true, so upon completion of the exam, I pressed the issue and insisted on a test, and my doctor obliged.

A call came from the nurse a few days later. Mrs. Mondisa? Yes. I’m calling to let you know the test results came back and show you are in the beginning stages of MENOPAUSE. I’m thinking, “the beginning?! If this is the beginning!”

When I arrived home that evening, I told my husband the results of the test. I don’t think I had ever seen anyone so relieved to hear that a test came back positive. “Thank God! I thought you hated me.” I just looked at him, shook my head, went into the bedroom and shut the door.

Ok Paula, so now that you know you’ve reached a new plateau in life, you’ve got to get a handle on this thing. It’s no longer just stress. Yes, I had a talk with myself. Self, get it together. I began researching for natural remedies for my body and mind. I discovered a few things that worked okay, but what I really found to be the best remedy was cranking up my prayer life, listening to relaxation music and reading the word of God. I sought His guidance, wisdom and strength, and I became more conscientious of my emotions and attitude. I knew MENOPAUSE was no excuse for being out of control or becoming overwhelmed with emotions.

The bible reads in Romans 12:1-2, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. I had to come to the realization this was part of the journey and His Grace is sufficient, 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Please don’t think that just because I had found a way to forge ahead, things instantly changed. It was definitely a process. One day while driving in the car with my husband, I suddenly let my window. “What is wrong with you; it’s freezing out there?” I looked at him, rolled my eyes, then stuck my head out the window. That was the day my nickname for a period of time became “HOT_____ ok, FLASH.” We both laughed. I think God has a sense of humor, so why shouldn’t I.

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: Proverbs 17:22a.

Laughter is good for the soul.