The Bitter/Sweet Experience of Becoming A Woman

Wave after wave, the pain washes over me, from the pit of my lower abdomen, down to the top of my thighs, the whole length of them, my knees, calves, slowly over my ankles, and to my toes, making them curl up of their own volition, eliciting a small cry from me. Then slowly, it makes its way back up, gradually, retracing its now weak, but still painful path over my body, back to the pit whence it emanated, to gather more strength and move upwards. This time to, my belly, my ribs. I feel it going over my diaphragm, my already aching breasts, and up to my jaw, making me clench my teeth again and again.
Then it recedes, gradually, and I feel sweet relief.

I know this pain. I am familiar with it.The voices of my mother echo in my ears “you are a woman; you should be able to endure. You are built to endure…”
Endure it I will, I have no choice but.The pain gathers strength again, in that deep part of my lower abdomen, and I swear softly at a spot on the ceiling.
I am aware of every movement inside me that causes the pain. In my lower abdomen, some organs, nay, one vital organ is expanding and contracting in annoyance, letting out its contents. Annoyance, because that organ had gone to great lengths to prepare for the coming of a guest. It had produced lots of scarlet colored velvet linings for its own interior, it had provided nutrients, and notified the other parts of the likely arrival of a visitor. But no inhabitant was provided for that guestroom.
And now, the organ is angrily discarding its elaborate preparations, causing me pain in the process.
The angry, invisible hand in there clutches at another part of the wall, holds tight and PUUULLSS…
Aaargh! I cannot hold back the cry this time. After the INTENSE pain, come the waves. Then relief…

The hand clutches again. This time, I bite my lips. And close my eyes tight…
On and on and on, throughout the day…