Beatris was married to my older brother Gabriel. And Beatris was fond of asking my mother this question, “Why do you carry your purse wherever you go in this house?”

We lived in a very large two story house in Mexico City and yes, my mother did carry her purse from room to room from early morning until night. Her purse was always in hand or by her side. My mother said that one of graces of good living was in knowing how to use a purse.

“ A purse is not an accessory,” my mother would tell us. “It carries all the things that we need for the home and the family. Everything that we need is here in my purse." She would say, “The best way to carry things is NOT wrapped in your hand. Maids carry the keys and a handkerchief in their hands.”

My mother said that carrying a purse denoted efficiency, intelligence and class. We were a family of ten and had five servants. We had a very busy household.

We children would put our treasures in her purse and on one occasion, my brothers even put frogs in her purse. In the evening, my mother’s purse sat on the piano as she played for my father.

My mother would tell her daughter-in-law Beatris, “You drive me insane asking me this question. My purse is with me because everything is there. Do you see the children asking for something? Do you see the maid asking for something?” And my mother would look at her purse for emphasis.

Beatris was an imprudent woman. She would not give up the question.

Biography

Mercedes Fernandez is a muralist and painter. Her most recent community mural is in Houston's Second Ward and honors the life and achievements of Ninfa Laurenzo.