It is God’s Mercy. I know, there are women out there who are wondering where this 30 yr old gets off saying hot flashes are a blessing. Remember ladies, I have perspective. I am 30 and have 3 kids under 5. I can’t imagine starting this journey 30 years from now. Menopause has been God’s way of breaking our lives into groupings, like baby time. This isn’t an orginial idea. A wise man, King Solomon, wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:1

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

This isn’t just done for us, as women, but also for our children. That is why the news of a pregnant 63 yr old woman was so disturbing. The doctor claims that

“She should live for at least 20 to 25 years — we are not giving birth to an orphan,” he said.

Is that all the influence we should desire in our childrens lives? Or the span of relationship our children desire? This isn’t even to mention the physical limitations of a woman this age with her baby. I am 30, my mom (yes mom, I am outing you) is only 50, her mom is in her early 70’s. My great-grandmother was alive until I was in jr high and I cherish having known her. Now pair that with my husband who barely a chance to know any of his grandparents (the ony one living died when he was about 8). Which reality would you want to give your children. I want to be there when all my kids get married, when they have their babies and when their babies get married. Now, I know there is no promise of long life but there is an old quote that, “You hope for the best but plan for the worst”. While I may not make it 80 (which means most of my kids will be at least 50) the chances of me making it to 110 are slim.
We as a society wonder were the extended family has gone. Let us not add to the reasons by the extended family being dead.
(HT: Two Babes and a Brain)