When I was growing up in White Deer, TX, we didn’t have a lot to do in the summer except drive a tractor so I always took extra credit courses at the high school. One summer, I took a homemaking class. For our class project we all made decoupage box purses. I made one for myself and one for my older sister who was in college.

Back in those times, I felt everything had to be perfect. I worked on that box purse of mine so long, I got tired of looking at it. By the time it was finished, I just packed it away. I never carried it.

You know, every time I go home Mama and Daddy give me some of my old stuff. I opened the latest carton of stuff and found my box purse. And I thought, “That’s cute.” I decided to carry it because it matched an outfit I was wearing. Several people asked me where I bought such a great purse. I realized that my box purse hadn’t lost any value over the years. I’ve been really careful of it since. Seeing it brings back memories of wonderful carefree times.

Even that decoupaged little girl brings back memories. When I was growing up everyone used to give me cards with pictures of little girls with orange hair because I have orange hair.

You know, we go in cycles. A long time may pass, but something will keep its value over the years. Just like good friends.

Biography

Jan Flowers is at work on her Masters in Education. She teaches at a school in Houston, TX for children with learning differences. Jan says she’s always worked with children, babysat when she was growing up and never imagined that she herself would not be able to have children. “My nieces and my nephews are my kids, as are the children that I teach.”