Some months ago, I noticed the bag Maria carries around for her wallet, Iphone, etc., was getting stained and raggedy.  It is also plain, much plainer than she is.

She has her distinct style of dress, and the clothes she loves the best are those she made herself or bought at a thrift shop and patched together in her way. They are colorful and distinctive.

I know Maria very well now, and I sensed she might need a new bag. I doubted she would ever buy one for herself.

I have been trawling around for a colorful new back that could be useful for her and also bright and distinctive. Maria doesn’t dress like anyone else, and she likes it that way, and I respect it.

But a month or so again, I came across this fabric bag that caught my eye. It arrived today, and I regret not taking a picture of it. She’s going to hate it, I said. The original version had tacky brass-like chains all over it and an equally cheap-looking latch.

I told her right away we had places to donate it if she didn’t like it, no bad or hurt feelings. I would never presume to pick her clothes.

I thought this was a big mistake when I saw it. But still, there was something about that said “give it a chance.”

She was out when the box arrived.

She came home, looked at it warily, and said it wasn’t her style at first.

Then I could hear the wheels turning in her head. She picked it up, got a scissor, and removed the strap. She pulled the cloth out, pronounced it helpful, and then cut it in half. She added a tassel to the side and made a new strap for her shoulder.

I couldn’t tell you how she did it; it took about five minutes before she transformed it, sandpapered the latch, removed all the shine, and made it her own. It is not the bag I bought except for the body. I was shocked to see the re-do.

In one sense, I was right. I know she would love the idea, and I hoped she would turn it into something she now loves. She did. It was a gamble, but it worked.

I know her well, but she knows herself better. I saw something in it that whispered Maria. And here it is. It makes me very happy, and she just came into my office and told me she loves it. Sweet music…