There are crazy women everywhere. They're doing our hair, teaching our
children, making our food, even representing us in Congress! They haven't yet
done anything destructive enough to warrant institutionalization, but don't
mess with them...they're on the brink. Their estrogen level is out of
balance.
This imbalance can happen several times in a woman's life. From our
monthly PMS, to postpartum depression to menopause. And perimenopause can go
on for many years before any true loss of the menstrual cycle. It's no man's
land -- and no man should come near us when we're in a hormone snit.
Marilyn is reminded of her breaking point. "I was about forty-eight when
it seemed like the number of days I was experiencing PMS before my period had
extended to twenty. Some days it seemed like I could feel a surge of
chemicals whooshing through my body. Next thing I knew I'd be crying because
a leaf fell from a tree and it was so poignant I couldn't bear it. I'd tell
my husband "Look, we're gonna fight - YOU pick the topic". My ten-year-old
daughter bringing me a handful of picked flowers would produce tears one
minute, then I'd rage because she got them from the neighbor's yard. This
was more than a snit.
One sleepless night I got up and turned on the TV. There was a PBS
station showing a compelling documentary about the black man's plight of
leaving Mississippi to go to Chicago in the 1950's. While watching all the
hatred and poverty I once again began to cry. For the next few days,
whenever I would think about it, I would cry. The thing is, I don't really
even know very many black people. I was feeling guilty. And extremely sad. My
daughter came home from school angry because she had so much homework to do
and I lit into her, 'Homework! Is that all you've got to worry about? Think
of the poor blacks in Mississippi.......' I went through the whole
documentary with her. I even had her crying. I was clearly over the edge.
I talked to my doctor about it and it was time for hormone replacement
therapy. What a difference it made in my life. I feel like I'm back to being
my real self. Though I'm still sensitive about how the blacks were treated
in the South and otherwise, I'm much more in control of my emotions about it.
My recommendation is to seek help if you feel any of the symptoms I described
and please give to the United Negro College Fund." 
-- Caryl & Marilyn, The Mommies
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