We all (myself included) seem to try so hard to achieve perfection…perfect jobs, perfect marriages, perfect credit scores, perfect children with perfect grades. We see post after post on social media of friends jetting off to exotic vacations and earning job promotions, achieving dramatic weight loss or financial success, and sometimes we wonder what we’re not doing right. Why aren’t our lives perfect when everyone else’s lives seem so grand? Perfection is a delusion. Most of us have this vision of what a perfect life looks like and who has it. We may see this “perfect mom” who gets her kids everywhere on time, always dressed well with shiny smiles. She bakes for every bake sale, heads every committee, takes care of a meticulous home, and does it all while maintaining a slim physique and fabulous hair. While those attributes and accomplishments are all admirable, no one and no thing is perfect. What looks perfect never really is. Everyone has something they struggle with, some sort of battle. Some of us are just better at masking it than others.
Perfection is elusive. Happiness is not. We can do our best at everything we attempt (and we should) but trying to live up to the idea of some idyllic life simply isn’t realistic. It’s not human. The only true perfection we can ever hope to find is in the only One who is without flaw. Remember that YOU are capable and worthy of all good things.
“As for God, His way is perfect. The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him.” Psalm 18:30
It’s October and for me, that change of the calendar makes it officially the fall season. For those of us who don’t love winter, we can usually fool ourselves into believing all of September is an honorary part of summer even though it tends to get cooler and of course, school starts. But once October rings in, we can’t deny fall is truly here, at least not where I live. It’s brisker outside, the air feels different, the sun is less shiny, and the leaves are rapidly changing to beautiful fire and jewel tones. October is Sweetest Day, Halloween, and many family birthdays. But October is very significant, marked with pink bows as reminders to get “squished” at your annual mammogram.
Because this early detection test is so important, I decided to document my most recent mammogram in hopes of taking away some of the fear and anxiety that can often surround that dreaded test. I won’t deny that mammograms are uncomfortable, even a little painful. But they’re so quick and so worth it. Remember, early detection is key to saving us from this disease! Please don’t allow finances deter you from engaging in the yearly “boobie trap.” Where I live, the medical center performs the test for free and I am certain this must be so in most areas. If money is a concern, please make some phone calls and start with your local health department, inquiring about free or low-cost testing.
When I arrived at my mammogram appointment, I wasn’t anxious. I started having yearly mamms in my mid-30’s so this has become old hat for me. It’s not something I look forward to. I don’t generally skip happily on my way to the exam room, but because it’s so important, I let health be the focus and not how the test is going to feel. My maternal grandmother was a breast cancer survivor and like most of you probably do, I know many other courageous women who have fought or are fighting this heinous disease.
Once I signed in, I didn’t have to wait long at all before the mammographer retrieved me from the relaxing waiting room (it even had a lovely fireplace!) We went back into a suite complete with changing rooms, private waiting room, and of course, the exam rooms. Things have improved on the mammography fashion front. Gone is the snazzy paper gown. Instead, I got this royal purple kimono-type top. It’s actual fabric!
When I finished the change, I got my own locker with key to store my personal items. This was pretty handy because at previous appointments at other facilities I had to abandon my purse and clothes in a lockless and unattended room while I underwent the test, which made me feel even more vulnerable, so this locker was a happy surprise.
My mammographer who was shy but accommodating when I asked her to join me in an “ussie” (as opposed to a “selfie), was wonderful. She was refreshing and lighthearted and we had some good conversation throughout the appointment. I can tell you, having medical personnel with a good sense of humor and kind bedside manner is imperative and makes the situation so much easier.
Next came the test itself. Of course, I’m not showing pictures of that but we did simulate it with the machine for the purpose of this post. The mammography machine doesn’t look so bad. It isn’t intimidating. There’s not really much more than this to see. It’s some horizontal and vertical plates. You’re squished a bit for sure, but it’s very momentary. They do direct you not to breathe while they take the x-ray (like you have that choice!), but those few seconds of discomfort are nothing to fear.
I assure you that it’s not a torturous test like many women fear. If you’ve had a mammogram, you would hopefully agree. I’m sure every experience is unique but the minimal discomfort is honestly worth it because this is for our health. This is hope. Make your appointment if you haven’t had a mammogram this year. Call your mother. Call your sister. Call your best friends. Encourage them to make (and keep!) appointments. Make them together. There’s power and comfort in numbers. Do this for your family and do this for yourself. Think Pink!
Welcome to the maiden voyage of my first personal blog! I say “personal blog” because I blog on Blogher.com and have guest posted on other sites as well. However, I have been feeling a tug to begin my own personal blog, one where I can share pictures, thoughts, and articles I write more freely. I’ve always had a deep love for writing, ever since I was old enough to put a pencil to paper…literally at age five I was writing stories on that giant lined penmanship paper we used in school. I wrote stories about anything that affected or perplexed me. The divorce of a friend’s parents (the first I’d ever heard of such a thing) and my tonsillectomy were some big headliners for me in the early years. I never lost my passion for the written word but for awhile, my writing dream got put on a shelf for safekeeping. In the most recent couple of years I took my dream down from the shelf, dusted it off, and began blogging for the public and writing for personal growth and satisfaction.
My professional background includes working as a Medical Language Specialist for nearly two decades. Now, I spend most of my days (and some nights and some middle-of-the-nights) writing, reading, reading about writing, and researching. I also do some housework, grocery shopping, socializing and taking care of my family in there too. I’m a mom to two fabulous children, a tween boy I call Bub and a teenage girl I call My Girl. I’m married to a man who strangers think looks at least ten years younger than he is (no one makes this mistake about me). This is an incredible boost to my self-esteem, as one can imagine. He’s not younger than I am. He’s actually three years my senior, though apparently it’s not obvious by looking at him. We share our lives and our home with our Beabrador Lillie and her boss, Gracie the Pug (adorably pictured below).
I imagine you may have stumbled upon my blog because the name looked or sounded intriguing when you said “Flying Blonde” in your head. I’m a huge fan of plays on words and double entendre. I chose Flying Blonde as a play on the phrase “flying blind” because that’s pretty much how I live life… by the seat of my pants without a master plan (God’s in control of that) and more or less availing myself to what God has in store. And I’m blonde. I hope you will visit again and often. I believe I have some good things to say and share. My mission is to encourage others. I’ve been through some seriously painful stuff in life and maybe I can encourage you through something you’re struggling with. Or we can laugh, because sometimes we simply must laugh so as not to cry. I believe in laughing out loud (usually at myself) and sharing quirky, weird things that happen in life as well as some deep thoughts. I’d love to have some great conversations with you as we all navigate through this ridiculous, beautiful mess we call life. Maybe I’ll even tell you about the time I met Adam Levine…
