When I was a young mom, my purse held all the tools to comfort a child, all the tools to quiet the child, and even the necessities to feed the child. From kleenexes and games to crackers and juice boxes. My purse was a symbol for all needs would be met here.
When I was a professional my purse held all my essentials for business. It was my briefcase. Big enough to hold all the necessary files, pens, even a big bulky calendar….Umm, iPhones hadn’t been invented yet. My purse became a symbol of how well I was doing in business.
When I traveled, my purse was an additional carry on. Big enough for magazines, books, and maybe even a quick change of clothes. My purse became a symbol for time at the pool.
Kids and husbands always availed themselves to the available storage and asked…. “Hey, can you stick this in your purse for me?” Because of my purse, I became “the camel”. I carried EVERYTHING for EVERYBODY.
Life has changed. No longer do I carry the coveted checkbook with me (in the purse). Never left at home unattended, the “checkbook” always ready in case something needed to be purchased…and now, I haven’t written a check in years. I no longer have to carry things with me. The children are grown and they have purses of their own to carry. I am blissfully retired. There is no longer a sense of urgency….about anything really and I don’t even need a pen. Now when I travel, I can do most everything with my iPhone and a Debit/Credit Card. Magazines, books and most entertainment are all on my iPad.
Years ago, my purse among all these other things represented financial security. Now my iPhone does.
There are times when I see a beautiful purse in the store window and think, “I should totally get that”! But then I think, “what would I carry?” A purse reminds me of what I used to be, not what I am.
Today, I am free. Free not to carry. Free to stick my iPhone in my back pocket and stop at Starbucks…I LOVE paying for coffee with my iPhone! Free to wander the store isles and “feel” with both hands. Most of all I am free of the shoulder pain I used to feel and free to just be.
WheatonHoney
17 April
RT @middlesages: My Past, My Future….My Purse: When I was a young mom, my purse held all the tools to comfort a child, all the t… ht …
Lee Aldrichm
17 April
It’s amazing how many things transition with us as we age. I would never have thought about the life cycle of purses and what needs they meet at various stages of our lives. Great observation!
afterthekidsleave
17 April
Love this! My purse has evolved over time, too–from strictly utilitarian to “just for me.” These days, it’s bright red, holds very little, and I love it. 🙂
Barbara Coleman
17 April
Cheers to “just for me”! And a bright red purse ! Thanks for taking the time to read!
sherry borzo
17 April
Yep my purse contents have changed also. Now about that phone . . . since it is so small I’m hankering to get something midway between the iPad and the iPhone in size, large enough for me to see without squinting, something about the size of a ping pong paddle that I can velcro to my hand and use as a phone, a reader, and the everything else.
Barbara Coleman
17 April
Ah yes….the ever changing eyesight as well! I’ve even given up contacts as well. I must admit to having up’d the font size on my iPhone too!
Sue Shoemaker
17 April
When our children are fully “launched”…they no longer “live in our purses.” That was one of the first major “Aha’s” that came to me shortly after both of our sons were married. It’s just one more “plus” to being in the Third Age! Thanks for the reminder, Barbara!
Barbara Coleman
17 April
Just crusty kleenex after that! and maybe that piece of doublemint gum….