Friday, March 06, 2009

Fashion Friday

About 7 years ago I found the perfect handbag from Banana Republic. It had round bamboo handles, canvas and oh-so stylish. I can't find an online picture of it but believe me, it was just perfect. One of the things I loved the most was the way it opened and closed with ease.

I felt so sassy and vogue strutting along with that purse.

But my world was about to come crushing down.

I had just found out that my former husband had been having an affair. The betrayal sliced through my being and the pain was crippling. My body and mind shut down, yet my spiritual connection to God and His peace was ever present.

I began losing weight fast...30 lbs in a few weeks. Although I ate some food everyday, my heart rate was so high I burned away those calories and then some. I had seen so many people, both men and women, go through this, since I was a matrimonial paralegal and dealt with them on a close level, but I never could understand the intense pain they were going through and how it affected their bodies like so drastically. Although I cared dearly about my clients, I never could sympathized with them...that was about to change.

It was about that time when a receptionist at the firm, a woman who was a tad on the wild side, got herself a new boyfriend. This new boyfriend had gone to an annually required meeting with his company and brought home some 'handouts'.

This particular receptionist thought it would be a great idea to put one of these 'handouts' on each desk in the office before anyone got in in the morning.

When I pulled into the parking lot I wiped away my usual morning tears, stepped out of my car (swinging my new Banana Republic canvas handbag)and ran smack into a desperate client. I told him to follow me straight into my office and I will sit and talk with him.

As I stepped into the entrance to my office I spied a bright, banana yellow 'handout' on my desk and quickly swept it into my easy to open purse, hoping that my client didn't see it.

My day was so busy, I forgot all about the banana 'handout'.

That night, in the middle of the night, I had to get rushed to the hospital. I had a high fever and was in a terrible amount of pain. My former husband did not want to drive me, he didn't care much about anything but his new girlfriend, so my daughter took me. She was in the midst of her final year in college and was having her thesis project presented the following morning.

My daughter stayed with me at the hospital all night but had to leave in the early morning hours right before my emergency surgery. In fact, all three of my children were in college at the time and all three of them were dealing with finals. I had been through surgeries before and I insisted that their finals were more important than sitting in the hospital with me.

My surgeon, who knew my former husband and knew about the affair before I did, wanted someone from my family at the hospital while I was in surgery. I was too out of it to make any phone calls so he asked if it was alright to go through my purse to find my address book.

Of course the bright, banana 'handout' fell out of my purse and went flying across the hospital floor. He went over and picked it up, looked it over and put it back into my purse. Next he called my sister in Staten Island.

The nurses put my purse under the gurney I was on and it seemed like every time they moved me the purse would open, spill out and topple over exposing the increasingly embarrassing 'handout'.

After the surgery (The surgeon and an oncologist did the surgery and they didn't find cancer, just a benign mass)I woke up to find my oldest son leaning over and kissing my cheek. All I had the strength to whisper to him was, "Dave...please... take the condom out of my purse.....put it in your pocket now.....don't ask me any questions....I will explain later."

The look on his face was priceless.

I recovered, in many ways. God is so good to me.

When I was up and about I took a trip to a local store. An elderly woman stopped me and told me that my purse was lovely.

Right then and there I emptied it and handed it to her.

15 comments:

suzspeaks said...

I found your blog from Big Mama. I love your story! How sweet of you to give your bag away. What a great example you are. Have a blessed day!

RR Mama said...

I think they would have had to bring me to the morgue in stead of to surgery. But it was very sweet of you to give your purse to that woman.

Beverlydru said...

What a great story. Came over from Big Mama's and I'm glad I did.

Jennifer said...

Wow! What a great story. You made my Friday!!

The Farmer Files said...

Forgive me for thinking this was hysterical!!!!!!!

Sue said...

Wow! What a story ~ both heart-wrenching for what you had to endure, and touching because of your generosity... and sense of humor!

God bless you!

calista said...

agian, I laughed until I cried. I'm so glad I found your blog. Even my husband called me this morning and said did you read the one about the porn shop? You are a hoot!! I thought this kind of stuff only happened to me. I'm so glad you are doing so well now. I endured somewhat of the same ordeal with my Ex. And like you, I also lost a ton of weight on the divorce diet. I am so glad God had a plan for my life, because at that time, I thought it was over.

Sir Nottaguy-Imadad said...

Being a guy, I can just hear your son talking to his friends "Dude, you're never gonna believe what my mom gave me!"

CocoDivaDog said...

Woah, I had to back up the truck and reread your story.
After the 3rd reading, I finally figured out the "handout" in your purse. I am S.L.O.W.
What a crazy story.
Cool that you gave the lady your purse.
thanx for sharing.

Dawn said...

Another great and crazy story! Thanks for more insight into you.

Heather Kay said...

This is a great story. I have been through your pain. God restored my marriage and I have just started blogging about it. I love that you gave the purse away!
Blessings!
Heather Kay

CocoDivaDog said...

Hello,
I have just nominated you to receive the “When Life Gives You Lemons” blog award.
Visit Auntie at her Dog Girl blog to claim your prize.
Cheers!

DaniCody said...

Thank you Auntie, I'm so honored.

beckylbranch said...

Wow, that is quite a story there! I'm so glad everything worked out for you..and so nice of you to give your hand bag away!

Anonymous said...

Hi YNB. Finally got the paper gown off and made the trek back home and FINALLY got to sit down and read some posts. Glad Auntie introduced us (not formally, but you know what I mean) and after reading this post, I can't wait to read more. I hope our little Twitter Flitter group doesn't scare you. We're just a bunch of weirdos having a good time and it's all harmless. Can't wait to get to know you better.