Dear Purse,

Last Sunday, when I wasn’t feeling well and needed to rush out of the house just before midnight to go to the ER, you were waiting for me on the stool by the laundry room. Sometimes I think you’re quite heavy…I debated leaving you sitting there that night, but I grabbed you anyway. You and an ipad. During most of my ER visit…the long hours spent waiting on the CAT scan results to find out why in the world my stomach hurt so much and was all yuck and bloated, you waited under my cloths on the chair in the corner. But then….I felt the need for some lip balm….and you had it. I tried to sleep, but Brian was trying to do the same and the one tiny bed was quite small. I was happy when the doctor finally came in with the results: a big ol’ ruptured cyst on my right ovary leaking (yuck) blood and fluid into my belly. He then advised a hospital stay that night. Um…but I didn’t expect not to go back home – I didn’t have anything with me. Or did I?

Purse, you came through big time my friend! After being a baby about not being able to go home…maybe there was a little sobbing on my part, I needed some powder for my red nose – you had it! Lip gloss always makes a girl feel better – you were there for me on that one too (different from the earlier lip balm, you’re so thoughtful!) Obviously you had my phone. I was able to let a few people know what was going on before being loaded on to a gurney for my fun little ambulance trip between the ER-only facility and the hospital nearest our home. It was late, past 5am and I was tired. Once settled in my hospital room, the nurses asked me if I needed anything – um…except that I couldn’t have food or water because they weren’t sure if I was going to go for surgery. What? My mouth was like the desert and I’m sure I was rocking some pretty bad breath. Thank you purse for having those minty sticks of gum!

I had worried out loud to Brian in the ER about what I was going to do with my contacts. Well purse, once they stopped poking and prodding me long enough to say I could get some actual sleep, you revealed what I had hoped for – you had a contact case! No saline, but I forgive you – the nurse gave me some sweet travel packs of saline….and I gave the ones I didn’t use to you so I know you’ve got my back next time!

A few hours later, I saw my doctor and they gave me the go-ahead for food and drink (sweet – no surgery), but I had to stay for an ultrasound which was just fine with me. Order up some room service, flip on some day-time television…much needed rest after such a night! I have never been so happy to get water in my life – and they brought it in the best cup EVER – giant, with a handle and a straw impervious to leakage….and it was filled with that amazing tiny circular ice. Purse, we really must find a refrigerator that makes that ice if our current fridge ever needs replaced!! So anyway, my hair was in a pony tail, but I had felt so awful the whole day before, I just took a warm bath and never a shower. Ug – greasy hair! Again, you came through for me purse because you had what I needed: a travel brush, my powder and lip gloss again, several bobby pins, pony-tail holders, barrettes….even a head band. I was able to limp over to my sweet little hospital bathroom and freshen up before my eggs and sausage arrived! I’m not sure if I mentioned it, but the ragged nail back in the ER – the emery board you had was just the ticket!

Ultra sound performed and analyzed, pain pills prescribed and a follow-up appointment scheduled, I was finally allowed to leave the hospital around 3:00pm on Monday. I finally got to slip back into my yoga pants and zip-up jacket and out of that awful hospital gown. I searched the room for a bag – I had a few things I needed to carry out. And guess what purse – you had it the whole time! Wrapped up small and tucked into a dark corner – you had a nice, compact reusable bag! In went the ipad, in went my book (which you carried to the ER for me – didn’t even mention THAT life saver!) and in went my totally sweet new souvenir water cup that’s giant, with a handle and a straw impervious to leakage!

I don’t care how many times I get questions like, “why the heck is your purse so big?” We didn’t even cover the wallet, the 1st aid kit which comes in handy like time and time again with three little boys…plus contains clippers that have helped open numerous crazy packages on-the-run, or my notebook and pen – which serves me and bored children in need of doodling! Enough said. Thank you.

I love you purse!