I had another seminal moment recently. It was kind of shocking. I have now become my “be-prepared-for-everything” grandmother.
When I was doing my seasonal purse exchange a couple weeks ago, I realized I’m no longer that fun-loving college girl who carried a small billfold with a few dollars, two aspirin and an ID to get into the bars uptown.
Now that I’m older, I’ve added 2 credit cards, a Debit card, a Medicare card, Insurance card and a Stent Implant Location card.
And the 2 aspirin that came in handy after a Friday night at Howard’s and the Circus Club in Bowling Green have been replaced with GasX, Pepto Bismol, Immodium, Meclizine and motion sickness bands – along with kleenix, cough drops, Orajel, Motrin, bandaids, Polysporin and an extra pair of underpants.
Since clothing malfunctions can be really embarrassing at my age, I carry a sewing kit, Velcro strips, safety pins, Tide stain remover, rubber bands, and a tiny cross.
You never know what can happen when you’re out partying at 76. Stung by a bee? I’ve got a bee sting relief pen. A long wait for your food & drinks? I’ve got organic peppermints from Trader Joe’s and Werther’s original candies to tide us over.
In case the night out gets wild, I put my checkbook, passport, vaccine records, social security number & a list of passwords, along with a notepad and pen in a clutch made from the backdrop of a Broadway musical. My makeup, mirror, tweezers, lotion, nail clippers, and foldup brush have been relegated to a plastic sandwich bag in case I have to stay over somewhere.
Instead of sticking mad money in my bra now, I hide AA batteries, a mask, a trash bag, and hand sanitizer in my purse’s side pocket.
And, of course, my iPhone is in its golden Phoozy case right beside my keys.
Oh, my! What happened to that carefree college girl? When did she disappear? I’m not sure. But as she aged, she certainly learned how to pack a purse for the trip.
It’ll Be OK
~~~
“My biggest fear is when I die my husband will sell all my purses for what I told him they cost.” ~Pinterest
COMMENT: What’s your biggest worry about the future?
Now to answer your question put before us - I do worry about having to have assistance as I age and who it will be . Being very independent especially since I lost my husband I am not sure I can handle anyone else having to help me with my needs. I don’t worry to much about it because I hope it is a very long time coming but it does sneak into my thoughts from time to time. At 75 I plan to stick around a long time and I want to live independently with gusto !
Might add bladder leak pads in case a surprise sneeze occurs!