Research Question for The First Period

by Dr. Margaret Aranda

I'm writing a book, From Menses to Menopause: A Journey Through Time.

In my research, I am finding several things.  One of them is that virtually all women remember where they were when they had their first period.  The second thing is that there are not a lot of stories out there on this event.  Much like losing your first tooth, starting a new school, or wearing your first bra, having your first period can be a vivid memory that brings back a lot of different emotions.

So welcome to Womanhood!  Let's have a go at this!


First, I need:
A.  Your Age right now
B.  Your Ethnicity
C.  Your Age when you started your period

Then Please Answer these Questions:

#1.  Where were you? (e.g., at school, in the garden, etc.)

#2.  Who was with you? (e.g., your sister, no one, etc.)

#3.  What did you do? 

#4.  Did you tell your mother?  Your father?

#5.  How did you feel?

#6.  (And since I'm a doctor, I have to ask...)  Did you tell your doctor?

And for our gentleman friends, please ask a kind woman for her input here.

Thank you!  If you do not want to post your Comment here, please email me privately at:

drmargaretaranda@yahoo.com with the Subject Headline:

WHERE WERE YOU?

The Maiden, The Mother, and the Crone

by Dr. Margaret Aranda

This depiction of a woman through menstruation, maternity, and menopause is just pretty, I think.  Our pagan predecessors coined this term to describe a woman as she journeys through life's stages.

Thought I'd just share that I think the Crone has osteoporosis, as she has shrunken in size.  She has more central obesity in her abdomen, thick legs, and appears rather stiff and inflexible, compared to her younger counterparts.  Her hair is gray and wiry, shorter and perhaps thinner, too.  Her arms are not uplifted or outstretched, and she appears to need help, as the Maiden and the Mother seem to be facing her perhaps to make sure she doesn't get lost.  Look how strongly the Mother holds her hand.  They are intertwined, not loosely held.  They seem to be pulling her along, as if she is fragile and needs help.

I just think it is pretty, and symbolic.