nothing good gets away

The day I met Edith Tiempo, I lost my bag. My entire bag was stolen and what is probably one fourth of my life or maybe even more. While I was so high with artistic inspiration, somebody pricked my bubble.

My bag carried an organizer that carried all my other stuff neatly. I could reach into it and know exactly where to find a pen, my phone, my umbrella, even my tweezers. At the police station I wanted to give the officer on duty my business card and I almost reached for my bag. I did not change bags for the past four months so the familiarity was marked. And in a flash everything was lost. Suddenly I had nothing to reach into. My hands were empty.

I described the feeling to a friend and we both agree that the moment you realize you’ve been robbed, everything becomes surreal. In my case it felt like I was hit by lightning and then the succeeding moment was a dream. I kept wishing the dream would end and I would be back to the scene where I still had my bag. The shock was so immense I almost wanted to cry. It felt like I lost everything even my identity. Because legally, I could not transact or drive without my license and IDs. I lost the security of things so familiar and so much a part of me. My red wallet and the bits and pieces of paper and notes tucked in there, the beautiful rosary beads made by my Lola Inse, my purse and keys…

Once, after the incident, I was reading something and wanted to highlight some points and just like old times, I reached for my bag to get the highlighter only to find an empty chair where it used to sit.

I had recently left my job and resolved to rebuild my life with renewed passion. Little did I know that I had to rebuild it literally from scratch. It was so strange to wake up the next day not having a pressed powder or my entire vanity kit for that matter. And so the task of rebuilding my life began. Getting affidavits for ID replacements, closing an account, buying a new compact powder, using the purse somebody gave last December and finally wishing someone could just buy me a new wallet, red of course. Thank God for people who gave me lip gloss for Christmas, at least I had more than a spare.

So how did I survive the entire ordeal? The moment I became certain my bag was stolen, I made a quick rundown of what will probably be forever lost and a tremendous sense of relief washed over me when I realized I left my journal at home. I was amazed at the list of things that I did not lose. It’s uncanny how some things were intentionally or unintentionally left at home. Then I calmly accepted the reality of the moment. Crying was not an option. Because really, what did I lose? Some money? An expensive umbrella? A new French perfume? The habit and security of my red wallet and matching purse? The autograph of Edith Tiempo? Things just came to a quick halt. Then I was astounded how instantly I gained a different perspective. Without my bag, I was still me. Yes, I lost the autograph of Edith Tiempo but her impact on my consciousness was more indelible than that.

Still, I am tempted to think of ways that could have averted the situation. Yeah, it’s over and done but I’m also one who believes in ‘when you lose, don’t lose the lesson.’ Obviously, there is no wiser precautionary measure than being careful. But it’s very unfortunate that some people out there are really just waiting to take advantage of our unguarded moments and turn them into disasters. In that case, what we could do is lessen the impact of the loss by preparing in advance. Like not bringing all our ID’s in one bag. Most transaction will only require two ID cards so it’s better not to risk our IDs by leaving them at home. Keep a photocopy of your license somewhere. It sure will make the replacement process faster. If you keep a USB, throw it away or leave it at home. Upload all your files in the internet. Find a site that will allow private viewing only that way all your files are just floating in cyberspace and available for retrieval anytime. And for the kikays, keep a back-up vanity kit. It’s so horrible to wake up not owning a compact powder or lip-gloss. It’s a girl thing. And leave the bottle of perfume at home unless you have enjoyed more than half of it.

All that being said, the thing I clearly learned from the whole mishap I pass on as a piece of advice. Carry in your bag only the things that you could afford to lose, which means practically everything actually. The ones that nobody should steal, you carry in your heart.