The Mama Kat prompt that I ended up with this week (via random.org) asks, “What do the contents of your handbag/purse ‘say’ about you?” Oh boy.
When my sister-in-law Ann got her RN degree in May 1993, she had worked so hard. She had two young children and was very pregnant with a third. She chose to spend the graduation gift money she had received on a Dooney & Bourke handbag. Ann, my mother-in-law, some other female relatives and I were standing at Dillards looking at the options when she pointed out the one she liked the most. I said, “That doesn’t look like a “mom of three” purse.” Meaning it didn’t look that practical – no little pockets on the outside to hold stuff, and kind of sleek and trendy looking. She said, in a tone that was a unique combination of flippant and reflective, “Thanks a lot,” as in “thanks for reminding me that I am giving my body, brain, and heart to three little beings on top of being a wife, earning an RN degree, and all of that.”
She got the purse. She loved the purse. When she passed away in her sleep six months later, one of the first things my mother-in-law said was, “I am so glad she went ahead and got that purse that she wanted and she enjoyed it.” I was too.
When Kat asked what my purse says about me, I wondered how I could respond without repeating my sock drawer blog. I decided that I would turn the topic around just a bit to “If my purse were threatened with replacement by a high-end handbag, how would it respond?” Let’s call my purse, for short, B.U.P. for Black/Brown Utilitarian Purse. Let’s say that some handbag fairy has decided to bestow upon me a $400 “high end” purse carrying a girl’s name (you know, a “Kristen” or a “Natalie.”)
The B.U.P.:

Wife of one, Mom of two, Friend of many. My pronouns are she/her/hers.
Once upon a time, in my former life as a newspaper reporter in the pre Iphone era, I carried my Jimmy Hoffa Bag. It was a large black “leatherette” bag that big shoulder straps. In it, I carried several reporter notebooks, a wallet, numerous pens, pencils, marketers, an umbrella, a raincoat, a two-way radio and often a second pair of shoes. I always told people that if I dug deeply enough into the bottom of the bag, I'd likely uncover Jimmy Hoffa.
Hi there, I'm visiting from Mama Kat's. My purse reveals my scatterbrainedness, but I'm with you – I just don't care that much about purses. Touching story about your sister-in-law. I'm glad that she got the purse that she did care about.
I don't even carry a purse anymore because my diaper bag is so big. I wonder what that says about me?
So ironic – my sis and I were shopping just a few days ago & talking about purses & what they say about me. Right now, I'm carrying a lime green faux-croc “statement” purse. It cost me $16 at Walmart.:-) Analyze that!
I laughed and cried! Such a sweet story about your SIL and a nice way to remember her.
I didn't know where this prompt would take me either, but I found it very interesting to actually have to acknowledge all the stuff I carry around. And for what?! Well… one never knows 🙂
Such a great post! I'm glad your SIL bought the purse she wanted, too.
Your purse's conversation with the high end purse is completely hilarious.
This was a great post! The story about your sister in law re-affirms my decision to make more choices lately for myself as a woman, and less in light of practicality/being a mom.. a simple thing like a purse or a pair of shoes I would really enjoy. And the speaking about purses and their contents was insightful too. Great response to the prompt! And thank you so much for your comment on my blog!
I just went a wedding carrying my big brown mom purse and realized all the other ladies had purses that matched their outfits.
I love this! Your story of Ann made me teary… but goodness, the talking purses! 🙂
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I laughed, I cried, it was better than Cats! What a sweet story about your SIL. And the conversation between the two handbags, OMG, hilarious! You rock!!
Haha! I love that your black/brown utilitarian purse talks. Where can I buy one of those and can I get it for $30 or less? lol
In all seriousness, I'm glad that your sister-in-law was able to enjoy her Dooney & Burke purse. I had one of those in the 90's too. 🙂
Nicely done from a touching and thought provoking start into a humorous way to answer the prompt.
I forced myself into a smaller handbag so I'd probably get “you want to fit what in here?!” although that is probably better than the “do you really need that as well?!” that the old one would have given me 😀
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