"Grandma's Purse"
by, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

My Grandma Harwell's
 "Purse," 
was a lesson on many levels.

She was not into "things."
By example she lived,
simply, uncluttered, and orderly.

"It's not the quantity, it's the quality!"
One of her favorite quotes.

 She carried a beautiful "Kelly" type bag,
 of fine hand tooled leather. 
Supple red glove leather on the inside, 
golden brown on the outside. 
A "thing" of beauty to behold, 
even the jeweled clasp.

Oh, but the contents therein!

 Tidy and tiny treasures to be sure.
 A neatly folded "handkerchief" 
embroidered with purple forget-me-nots, 
trimmed with Belgium lace.

A little crystal
 bottle of perfume from "Paris" France, 
in it's own silk velvet pouch,
 a gift from her second son.

A pair of soft kid leather black gloves.

Some dainty,
 but very expensive scissors, 
hidden in her purse,
 to keep them away from grands like me.

A copper picture compact 
filled with photo's of me of course,
 ( all her grands,) a gift from my Dad. 

A dainty coin purse, always full.

And most important to her, 
a small red letter edition Bible.

 I can still see her carrying herself and her purse 
with the dignity of the true lady she was. 
They don't make "purses " like that anymore.