A month ago, I stumbled upon a photo of the late Kyrzayda Rodriguez, stylishly carrying the Pisticci shoulder bag by Patricia Nash, and at the moment I saw it, I wanted to add it to my bag collection.
I purchased the bag, and I carried it for the first time in early June. But it wasn’t until I carried it for the second time that someone asked where I purchased it, which inspired me to write a review. I had no idea I’d experience an eye-opening moment in doing so.
The bag is chic, stylish, and eye-catching. It is a great complement to a business casual look or distressed jeans and a t-shirt ensemble. My only complaint is its capacity. However, I realize this could be because I had been carrying my MCM tote, which holds a ridiculous amount of stuff.
Overall, I am extremely satisfied with the purchase; and it is for more than tangible reasons. When I decided to write a post about the bag, I wanted to acknowledge the individual who made the existence of the bag known to me. I had no idea that doing so would be an act of paying homage to her memory.
Kyrzayda Rodriguez was a popular fashion blogger who had incredible style. On September 9, 2018, Ms. Rodriguez passed away after battling cancer. As I read articles in tribute to her impact, in not just the fashion community but everyone who found inspiration through her journey, I became overwhelmed with admiration because of her strength. Although I applaud her resilience, transparency, beauty, and fashion sense, it was her last words captured in this article by Lolita Bunde for Eve that made me pause.
“I have a brand new car parked outside that can’t do anything for me, I have all kinds of designers clothes, shoes and bags that can’t do anything for me, I have money in my account that can’t do anything for me, I have a big well-furnished house that can’t do anything for me.
Look, I’m lying here in a twin size hospital bed; I can take a plane any day of the week if I like but that can’t do anything for me … So do not let anyone make u feel bad for the things you don’t have – but the things u have, be happy with those; if you have a roof over your head who cares what kind of furniture is in it… the most important thing in life is LOVE. Lastly, make sure you enjoy the ones you love.” – Kyrzayada Rodriguez
Her words resonated with me. They are a reminder of the importance of love. Acquiring material things profits nothing. What really matters is ensuring we truly love, which reminds me of a familiar scripture.
13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[b] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13 ESV
My pursuit of a gorgeous bag taught me an invaluable lesson. I thought I had a good handle on prioritizing and weighing my interests. Don’t misunderstand me I don’t see anything wrong with enjoying the tangible things in life, as long as they don’t contradict one’s principles and beliefs. But we mustn’t get so caught up in what we have or don’t have and neglect the most important aspect of being, which is to love.
Am I loving my family, friends, and those who aren’t loving me? And I can’t forget about me—am I loving Towanda?
I see this experience as a gentle reminder that while I pursue things that are pleasing to my eyes or interest, I must ensure I am demonstrating love. Thank you Kyrzayda, you inspired me in many ways.
Until the next time be you—and more important—love you (and others).
Being uniquely you is being uniquely beautiful.
-B.B. 💋
Attribution: The last words of Kyrzayda Rodriguez, famous fashion blogger who succumbed to cancer by Lolita Bunde for Eve
