Before puberty I had a good life. I read books, played with my chemistry set
and microscope (I was a bit of a geek and proud of it), hunted cottontails with
my single-shot .22, and searched for Native-American arrowheads on my
grandparent’s place (it was legal then; not now). I was happy. My Dad would
give me chores to do, but I endured them.
I had control over my life – my thoughts. I led a moral life.
Then
puberty hit and life went to hell. I
started noticing those creatures with long hair. Sometimes I couldn’t stop thinking about them. I was no longer in control of my
thoughts. The devil took over. It became much more difficult to lead a
moral life.
After
a couple of embarrassing incidents in my sleep – which I didn’t understand – my
mother gave me a paperback book with a title similar to “Your Changing Body
(for Boys).” I read it and knew I was
doomed. It wouldn’t get better – only
worse. I wondered if a similar book was written for girls? The library didn't have a copy. At least that's what the librarian said when I asked for a book about girl's bodies.
I
gave in and decided to go with the flow.
I started getting hair on my face.
I needed a razor and to start shaving – at least once every two weeks or
so. Shick (or was it Gillete?) offered
three models of a safety razor, “light,” “medium,” and “heavy.” The choice was the hardest of my adult life. “Light” seemed to be a denial of my
machismo. Hell, I was a man, now. I could father children. “Medium” seemed terribly wishy-washy and I
sure didn’t need “heavy.” I tried to
think of an analogous choice for young ladies, but after an intimate discussion
with my wife (use your imagination) decided there was none.
And
because of hormonal changes I started getting migraines. Nothing was the same. I suffered.
But somehow I survived. I now sport a shaped (gray) beard. I shave parts of the hair on my face to
achieve the shape. I use a “light” safety
razor.©2014 Lester C. Welch
LOL. I agree. Puberty was the worst part.
ReplyDeletePainful time of life! I remember in 5th grade a boy who sat behind me put dead flies down the back of my blouse. Gross and disgusting. I learned later he really had a crush on me.
ReplyDeleteI was terribly shy throughout this time period. All those insecurities...I was certain I was alone in feeling that way!
I remember reading a book my mother gave me about the "facts of life"; it was very vague and certainly didn't explain things very well. I asked my mother followup questions and she told me to reread the book! Wouldn't trade that time of life for anything!
Wouldn't that time of life be fun if we could re-live it with the knowledge we have now?
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