Handbag Monday welcomes...
Joanne Guidoccio
I hadn’t planned on
spending Day 1 of Life after Breast Cancer Diagnosis in a mall, but my friend Karen
insisted. “Once those chemo appointments start, you’ll have no time to shop.
Get everything now, and you won’t be scrambling later.”
As we walked through the mall, I mentally planned my shopping list: nightgowns, pajamas, a new robe, comfy day clothes. I was surprised when Karen pointed to my black, leather purse. “You’ll need a larger bag for when you start your treatments. Something more durable that’ll hold its shape.”
I started to argue and then stopped.
After all, she was the seasoned warrior who had already traveled this path.Purses are easy, I thought. I don’t have to worry about sizes and dressing rooms. And, in this case, form would follow function. Or so I thought.
To my surprise, I found myself rejecting
almost every bag I saw that day. I didn’t like the expensive leather totes, and
I turned up my nose at the Plain Jane canvas bags. And then I saw it.
The perfect chemo bag – a riot of
colors, shapes, symbols, numbers, and words – designed by Alma Atonutti.
Lover’s Choice | Distance Runner | The
Who | Keep It Light | Space | Earth | Savings Service | 123456 | $ | abcdefghijk
“There’s no sense or meaning to any of
these words or symbols,” Karen said, shaking her head. “And all those clashing
colors. But if you like the hippie bag, go ahead and buy it.”
That hippie bag became my constant
companion during chemo, surgery, and radiation. I threw everything into the bag
and still there was room for more. I was
often reminded of Mary Poppins’ bottomless carpetbag that yielded an assortment
of items. And her timeless advice: Dig
deep and you will find your treasures.
A brunette lottery winner never has an
alibi when dead blondes turn up in dumpsters near her favorite haunts.
I
noticed a man making his way through the crowd that had gathered outside the
front window. Tall and lean with salt and pepper hair, the man sported a black
leather coat and a light gray suit. When he stopped to talk with Uncle Paolo,
he flashed a badge. As I approached the two men, my heart started beating
faster. Carlo Fantin. How could I have forgotten my old high school crush? If
anything, he looked even better now than he did back then. He hadn’t bulked up
or lost his hair. He was still hunk material.
He
stared, his blue eyes widening in surprise and something else I couldn’t quite
define. Amusement. Anticipation. Maybe even lust. Whatever it was, he had
stopped talking to Uncle Paolo and was now giving me his full attention.
He
flashed the beautiful smile that had once captivated me and every other female
student at Sudbury Secondary. “Hello, Gilda. It’s good to see you again. Uh, in
spite of these circumstances.”
“Hi
Carlo, I’m–”
“Detective
Fantin.” My uncle shouted.
Before
I could say anything, Aunt Amelia piped up, “We’re so glad you came, Detective.
We’ll sleep better tonight knowing that you’re in charge.”
My
mother and Sofia appeared at my side. All those years ago when I had fantasized
about connecting with Carlo, I had envisioned many wonderful scenarios where we
would bump into each other and fall in love—on the beach, dance floor, even at
a bar. Never in a million years, did I think we would reconnect in these
circumstances with my family in tow.
Find Joanne at: Website
Find the Season for Killing Blondes at: Amazon
Joanne, I love that a handbag carried you through chemo!
Do you have a go-to bag for traveling, hospital, needlework?
16 comments:
Thanks for hosting me, Vicki :)
Thanks for sharing your story, Joanne. I had no idea you were a fellow survivor. LOVE the purse!
Hi Judy, We are a "growing" club. Thanks for dropping by. :)
Fun and thought provoking post. Aren't purses fun? I alternate between fun hippie handbags and more structured ones, depending on my mood. And I agree, one thing that's great is that you don't have worry about size. Although I am picky about that. Some purses are too big or too small. Finding one the right size that you love, takes some doing. Best wishes on your book.
Hi Mary, I also love and collect purses. While I have a go-to large purse for most days, I do enjoy experimenting with pops of color and different sizes. I still have a patent leather clutch (over 30 years old) that works for evening. I often reminisce about the purses I gave away. Sigh! Thanks for dropping by :)
What a lovely story, Joanne. I'm known for carrying handbags that weigh a ton--my constant emergency supply goes with me everywhere and there always must be room for a book, no matter the size of that book. I cannot sit in a doctor's waiting room, or on the subway, or anywhere else I see as wasting time, without a book!
Hi Joanne
Great post. Tears welled in my eyes and my heart turned to mush as I read your story. I was right there with you buying the handbag. Boy, can you write!
And the book rocks.
Best Wishes
Jo-Ann
Hi, Jo-Ann and so lovely to have you today. I have one or two hippie type bags myself.
JOanne - you are such an inspirations!
Hi Andi, Good to see you here. My handbags are also heavy. In addition to the usual paraphernalia, I toss in my iPad Mini. I like to be prepared for long waits in the doctor's and dentist's offices. Joanne :)
Hi Jo-Ann, I appreciate your ongoing support. You are a wonderful companion on my writing journey. Joanne :)
Molte grazie, Peggy! :)
What a wonderful bag. I can see how it might have lifted your spirits each time you saw it!
Thank you for sharing something so personal. Stay well, warm, and safe...
Hi Melissa, Good to see you here. All those colors brightened up my days. I still smile whenever I see it in my closet. :)
Hi Angela, Thanks for dropping by. I hope you're keeping warm this winter. :)
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