“Hey Lady, Why Do You Have a Mustache?”

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After 50 years I finally understand how CBS came up with the name of the Art Linkletter Show, Kids Say the Darndest Things! For women in menopause, the new version of that show is:  Kids Ask the Darndest Questions. 

In Church this past Sunday, I found myself sitting next to an inquisitive little four-year-old.  Prior to the beginning of service, he was squirming around in his seat and looked like he was trying to play tag with the little boy seated next to him.  That little boy was my two-year-old grandson.

When our eyes met, I politely asked the four-year-old if he could sit still.  He shook his head, yes.  Then I asked him if there was anything he wanted to ask me.  He wanted to know my relationship to the boy sitting beside him.  I told him I was his grandmother.  I then asked him if there was anything else he wanted to ask.  He stared at me for a moment and then asked, “Why do you have a mustache?”

Now you know this isn’t a question I expected.  I could’ve told him the long version about how there is increased growth of hair on the face of women just before and just after menopause and it’s a common occurrence. I could’ve also taken the time to explain the fact that the facial hair is primarily due to a decreased amount of estrogen in the body.

I did acknowledge the fact that I had a mustache but before I could go any further, the choir provided a much-needed distraction.