Yesterday, my beloved bag (shown above) disappeared. I am still in shock that it’s gone and pretty upset at myself that I basically let it happen. It was one of those days where you feel slightly absent minded and distracted, and the things that you are usually are so diligent about doing (read: always having your bag on you at all times) you let slip and make a silly mistake.
Earlier in the day, I grabbed lunch with Alicia before she and our friend Andi headed to the airport, so we only had about 20 minutes. We stopped into Pret a Manger on Hudson and found a seat near the window. I remember setting my bag down on the chair next to me, then continued chatting and eating. Time flew by and we had to rush home. I quickly hopped up to get a to-go bag for my food and then followed Alicia out the door. Without my bag. Looking back now, I remembered that my keys and phone were in my coat pocket, so it didn’t register that I was without my purse until later. It’s funny how sometimes auto pilot takes over. I think because I was holding my keys in one hand and my phone in the other, yet carrying some version of a bag (even though it was plastic and carrying food), my muscle memory kicked into gear. My brain thought I had all of my things, when in reality, that was not the case. By the time I realized I’d left my most favorite bag behind, it had disappeared.
But here’s the thing. I am a positive person and believe that people are generally good. My hope is that some nice person came in for lunch after me, saw it sitting there and decided to take things into their own hands by personally popping it in the mail back to my address in Seattle, which is still listed on my license. I have experienced other great acts of kindness before, such as someone mailing my license back to my home in Seattle after finding it on the floor of a cab, and another time when I left a small black purse in the back of a cab, full of cash and other valuable things, and the cab driver found it later and returned it to my apartment after finding a pay stub with my New York address. So since I believe in the power of positive thinking, I am making a conscious choice to have faith, and also believe in the goodness of people.
Please know that this post is not meant to be seen as me throwing myself a pity party. Because in reality, I completely realize that this situation is not the end of the world. After all, it’s just a bag and there are so many worse things that could have happened and do happen to people, every day. But at the same time, we can all relate on some level, right? Most of us have material belongings that we are attached to and when they are lost or taken, it’s always unsettling and unpleasant, no matter what. Anyway, I always try to take away life lessons from my experiences regardless if they are good or bad. I think the universe is reminding me to be present and mindful, to show some grace and to be kind, because everyone is fighting their own battle. Thank you for reading and letting me share. xo
On a lighter note, here are some pictures of my outfit that I wore to the Alice + Olivia presentation on Monday.
Photos by: Andi
Sunglasses: Karen Walker / Hat: Preston & Olivia (gift) / Jacket: BB Dakota / Tee: Rag & Bone/JEAN / Jeans: Paige / Boots: Nine West / Bag: Celine
