Yesterday I was talking with some women about earrings, and one told us that in her native Spain all girl babies have their ears pierced at birth. It’s believed that because they are recovering from the trauma of being born the small extra indignity is not felt, and causes no pain. Small studs are inserted, and consequently if you look in a Spanish pram you can easily tell the sex of its occupant.
This reminded me of the time when I had my ears pierced as part of my 40th birthday celebrations. I had always resisted any bodily mutilation. Now and then I would bemoan the inconvenience of wearing clip-ons or screw-ons and tell friends that one day I would have my ears pierced – just not today.
Shortly after my fortieth birthday there was a significant solar eclipse in the middle of the day (1989 if you really want to know). My ritual group, who were particularly interested in natural phenomena, met in Victoria Square to celebrate, and view the eclipse with our pinhole cameras.
After it was over we discussed what else we might do to mark the occasion and someone said “Ruth could get her ears pierced”. They then marched me down the street to an earring shop, and two of them held my hands while the deed was done.
Of course I was delighted with the outcome, and now love the vast choice of earrings available to me. Sometime I might tell you the special thing I did to mark my fiftieth!
“When the sun was hid from view
The time was right for piercings, two.”
Hi Ruth,
I know how you felt! I was 43 when I had my ears pierced and, as you say, Clip or screw earrings are painful, but I’d just never had the courage. Then my daughter, bless her, who was then 14 gave me a voucher to have my ears pierced for my birthday,she was so pleased with herself so I couldn’t let her down and am I pleased about that, I have had some really lovely earrings over the years – and no pain! However, I have baulked at having my belly button pierced – that will never happen!
Love from Barbara
Comment by Barbara — 12 September 2006 @ 1:44 am