In the tapestry of a young woman’s life, certain milestones stand out—first crush, first bra, and yes, the pivotal moment of reading Forever by Judy Blume. As an introverted, book-loving pre-teen, I devoured Blume’s earlier works like Superfudge, Blubber, and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Yet, one title was deemed off-limits by my older sister.
She owned a well-worn copy of Forever, featuring a cover image of a girl deep in thought, reflecting her newfound understanding of relationships. “You’re not ready for this book,” she declared, with an air of superiority that suggested she had unlocked some secret wisdom. Naturally, I was intrigued.
At the tender age of twelve, I “borrowed” her book and read it countless times under the covers with a flashlight. The memorable scene where Michael and Kath become intimate? I revisited it night after night for a month. Eventually, I feared returning the book to my sister; it had become too much a part of my secret world. So, I discreetly disposed of it in the school cafeteria’s trash.
From Forever, I gleaned most of what I knew about sex—like the importance of a “sheath” to avoid “VD” and that some people even name their anatomy. But Blume’s stories offered wisdom far beyond that single book. In celebration of her 77th birthday, here are key lessons I learned from her works:
- Iggie’s House: The end of a friendship can feel devastating, but it’s not the end of the world. Also, be aware of the casual racism around you—it’s pervasive.
- Blubber: The boy next to me in class is literally saving boogers on a piece of paper. Gross, right?
- Deenie: There’s a proper term for “touching your special place.”
- Starring Sally J. Freedman As Herself: It’s okay to be the root cause of a lice outbreak (sorry, Camp Evergreen), and sometimes, even the most infamous figures can be your neighbors.
- Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret: Not all girls dread getting their periods; some look forward to it. And it doesn’t mark the end of childhood.
- Then Again, Maybe I Won’t: Boys and their strange bodily functions! The kid saving his boogers is experiencing all of that too?
- Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing: Not every overactive younger sibling is the embodiment of cuteness. Remember, cuteness is fleeting.
- Otherwise Known As Sheila the Great: Girls can be cruel (that “slam book” was vicious), but they can also forgive and move forward.
- It’s Not the End of the World: Divorce can be tough, but as the title suggests, it’s not the conclusion of life’s story.
These Blume novels shaped my perspective and helped me navigate the complexities of growing up. If you’re exploring the topic of home insemination, check out this great resource for helpful insights on pregnancy. For couples looking to embark on their fertility journey, consider reading about our artificial insemination kit. And if you’re interested in doing it at home, look into Cryobaby’s at-home insemination kit—they’re well-regarded in this field.
In summary, Judy Blume’s narratives provided essential lessons about relationships, friendship, and the complexities of growing up. Her insights remain as relevant today as they were when they first graced the pages of her beloved books.
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