December 9: Happy Things

About ten years ago, my sister Bevin gave me a Christmas present. As I opened it, she said, "I thought I would take a chance."

Inside was a black leather Coach purse, vintage late-1970s, a "9170". I was thrilled. She guessed right. I carried whatever old thing I had around or even sometimes just a canvas bag that was a giveaway from a zoo membership or other such deal. I would never have spent the money on myself to buy something durable, classic, pretty. It is this purse (this is not mine, this is a stock photo):

Heavy brass zipper and buckles, the leather well-cared for, I was so happy to finally graduate to an adult purse. And people noticed. An elderly Dutch woman at the parish asked me if that was a "Coach handbag" and told me she had the same one back in the 80s. Stylish friends congratulated me on having such a well-preserved version, from (their words) "back when Coach was so well-made."

This purse made me feel like I'd won the lottery. I took good care of it, but it still aged because it was my everyday bag. It is more worn now, and the strap needs replacing or repair--the leather binding has cracked in a few spots. Otherwise, though, it is perfect. Simple, goes with everything, carries all I need, just perfect.