Little Black Bag

Dressing up isn't something I get to do very often. Now that I am retired I miss getting dressed up the way I did every day for all the years I worked in the library. Once retired, I even took a job working a few hours a week at a local department store so that I could have a reason to get dressed up and go somewhere. I was very disappointed when a rule went into effect last year requiring sales associates to wear all black to work.
That's why I really look forward to the annual black tie fundraising event (Merrie Market) which is held at Visitation School. It's a chance to bring out the pretty dresses and shoes, and even wear hose! For months I have been watching a faux fur leopard jacket at work go slowly down to the "price is right" and it was the perfect topper for my little black dress.
But the real"piece de resistance" was my black beaded bag. When I carefully removed it from the box where I store those special things I treasure, but rarely use, I had a flashback to my sophomore year in college and the Christmas that my roommate gave me that bag. I remember at the time it seemed like such a random gift, something I really didn't need and couldn't imagine using. But now, looking back on nearly 45 years, I realize how many times I have clutched that bag, stuffed it with tissues for tears of joy or sorrow, and remembered my friend.