The Legend of the Handbag

As a child, I knew the importance of my mom's handbag..her pocketbook..her purse. She went no where without it. It was heavy, I knew that. But I was not prevvy to its contents. All I knew was that I wanted one, too.

So, every Easter, mom bought me a new outfit which included a pretty floral print dress, a new hat, a pair of white gloves and a small, shiny, patent leather bag! Mom filled my purse with a new handkerchief, and a shiny quarter. "This is what little girls must have with them all the time," she told me; a handkerchief to keep your nose clean and money.

This sincere advice worked for a while. As I got older, I realized that there is more to life than keeping your nose clean and having money! I needed to carry more things (pictures of my girlfriends and my chapstick!) so my bag size increased, as it was now including a wallet. Asking my daddy to help me fill my wallet was even more exciting, as he gave me a five dollar bill, for good luck!  

As a young woman, my bag was filled with as many things as my mom's. Only as an FYI for the male readers, a woman's bag MAY include, but not be limited to the following items: wallet for money and credit cards from Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Aeropastale or the Avenue (depending on your age and size), and definitely a MasterCard! It also includes keys for your home/apartment, car keys, and keys to your office, a hairbrush or comb, a make-up case, a small mirror, Advil or Aleve, a portfolio for store coupons, gift cards from Christmas, and stamps, a small floss container or toothpicks, and definitely your cell photo and your iPod, iPad, or Kindle..depending once again upon your age and interests. Oh,  I almost forgot..and a small, travel size Kleenex to keep your nose clean!

It has occurred to me that as I age, I need fewer things in my bag. Strange, some may think..."what if you have a headache or need a stamp to mail something?" My answer is this: "If I don't have it with me, I shall wait to go home to get it. If it is an emergency, I shall ask someone for it." Simply put, I now carry only the essentials: my wallet, keys, eyeglasses, cell phone and Kleenex. My bag weighs far less than it did!

My mom, who turns 89 next week, doesn't carry her bag, anymore.  She has no use for it. Oh, she still has one. It's in her closet. In her bag is a small change purse with a dollar in it..for good luck. She also has a pretty lace handkerchief..you know..to keep her nose clean.