I am fifty years old, and I remember my first period, at age ten, in 1967.

Although girls were more sophisticated than their mothers at the same age, no one was expected to start menstruating that soon.  My mother, a nurse, had already explained periods to me so that I would not think Mars was attacking when it finally happened. 

But the one who saved the day was Dad!  It was a Sunday, and many cities observed blue laws then.  That is, stores were closed on Sundays.

Mom stayed with me to help me sort out this new happening, and it became Dad’s task to get me provisioned.  Mom’s tampons were not suitable for a menstruating ten year old.  I no longer recall how long it took Dad to do the job, but it didn’t seem very long before he walked in the door with a brown bag containing a napkin belt and napkins, and I was in business. 

To this day, I do not know whether he found a nearby municipality with relaxed Sunday laws or a friend who could help out. 

I kind of like the mystery, and I’ve never asked.

---Pamela