This is my grandmother purse. Isn’t this bag in great shape? It’s in great shape because it was so rarely used. My grandmother carried this purse when she dressed up and went to town. My grandmother, Velma Lillian McNeil Alexander, was from Bastrop, TX. She was an educated woman or as educated as a woman could be back in those days. She aspired to have a career. I do not know what she wanted to do professionally.

Mama, as I called her, married a man, Milton Everett Alexander, and became a farmer’s wife. My grandfather operated a dairy farm. My grandmother didn’t enjoy cooking but she spent a good deal of her time cooking, making biscuits everyday for the farm hands and for her children. She raised seven children and gave birth to eight.

My grandmother owned wonderful hats, white gloves and other purses but she did not have a life that was consistent with what she envisioned for herself.

I spent a number of summers with her in Austin as I was growing up. We washed clothes on Blue Monday and ironed most of the day on Tuesday. I helped her in the kitchen by washing dishes. Though I wanted to be helpful, I also wanted to have fun during my summer vacation.

My grandmother did not smile very much. I wondered why she was so angry. She was so different from my other grandmother who was so happy and supportive and fulfilled and whose purses were all well worn.

I didn’t understand all that as a child. I understand a lot more now.