Among my acquaintances, a communal groan of disapproval can be heard regarding processed food (unnatural), chemically-based vitamins (unnatural), commercial pesticides and fertilizers (unnatural), red or turquoise toothpaste (unnatural).

At the same time, they extol the virtues of going ‘natural’, communal groans are also induced by cockroaches in the pantry (natural), foxes digging their teeth into baby bunnies (natural), ticks lurking in the tall grasses (natural), well water (natural), slaughtering chickens for dinner (natural), and exposure to sunlight (natural).

Yesterday, at a gathering of women, I collided with additional evidence that approval/disapproval ratings are not derived from natural/unnatural criteria.  I exalted natural menopause, summoning all the life-affirming, soul-fulfilling, healthful benefits typically associated with natural childbirth. Why, I asked, would anyone want to medicate away the experience of such an elemental life transition, the sign of health, confirmation of the grace of simply being alive, and passage to a new status with its unique privileges and responsibilities.

I was  greeted by yet another consensus – shock and disbelief.

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