Sunday morning at church, just as I was preparing to take my seat, I was asked by an older woman, “What do you do? Do you work?”
I glanced quickly around me, then back at her. “Yes. Yes, I work,” I replied.
“Where?” She asked.
“I work online,” I replied with a smile.
“For a company?” she inquired.
“Um, yes,” I answered.
“For a company here?” she asked.
Uh, no. The company isn’t here,” I replied.
“What do you do? she asked.
Glancing around again, I spoke low and clear. “I reply to inquiries and do other things.”
“Oh,” she said, then asked, “What’s the name of the company and what do they do?”
As I took a deep breath and prepared to jump into the answer, the Praise Band announced the beginning of the service with loud music.
I smiled at her, shrugged my shoulders and took my seat.
As I sat there, I watched as she took her seat and wondered what her reaction would have been to what I was prepared to tell her (and the mixed group sitting within earshot that would have easily overheard).
I don’t know that I’ve ever said “menstruation,” “menstrual,” “vagina,” “periodwise” or “menstrual cup” in church. And, I truly doubt she has ever heard those words within the sanctuary of church.
The hesitancy I felt in openly sharing what I do when she first asked was based on two things:
- her probable reaction considering the setting,
- and, the reaction of those nearby who were forced to listen.
Should I have just jumped into what I do when she asked her first question? Perhaps. Had she been younger, I probably would and without concern about causing embarrassment to her.
Would I like to sit down with this older woman and explain to her what I do and why? Oh, yes! And, I hope I have opportunity to do so soon. I think she would have a lot of period wise words. After all, she’s had a lot of experience, period wise.
