I cannot even say the word umbrella ella, ella, eh, eh, eh without singing it like Rihanna. What I love about an umbrella is that its function is both necessary and thoughtful. When we hold an umbrella over our head to shield off the rain or the sun, we are less bothered as Mother Nature does her thing. Thoughtfulness happens when we share an umbrella. Together we are safer and more comfortable than we are without one. My heart sings to see someone hold the umbrella over another’s head so that they can walk to/from the car in the rain without getting wet. So sweet!

Speaking of singing, it’s been a while since I’ve sang the praises for the information that I get from nationaldaycalendar.com. Whenever I want to write about a national day, I consult the website. I am, after all, an ambassador for the company because I love the content they put out into the universe. Check out this excerpt from the site:

“Interesting Umbrella TidBits:

The word umbrella comes from the Latin word umbra, meaning shade or shadow.  Brolly is a slang word for umbrella, often used in Britain, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.  Bumbershoot is a fanciful Americanism for an umbrella from the late 19th century.

The basic umbrella was invented over four thousand years ago. There is evidence of umbrellas in the ancient art and artifacts of Egypt  Assyria, Greece and China.

We can credit the Chinese for being the first to protect us from the rain. Their paper parasols received a layer of wax followed by lacquer that made the umbrella withstand the elements. 

One of the first umbrella shops in existence opened in 1830 at 53 New Oxford Street in London, England. The shop, operated by James Smith and Sons, still operates regular hours at the same location today. 

In 1928, Hans Haupt’s pocket umbrellas appeared. In 1969, Bradford E. Phillips, the owner of Totes Incorporated of Loveland, Ohio, obtained a patent for the first “working folding umbrella.”

Umbrellas have also been fashioned into hats as early as 1880 and as recently as 1987.

Photographers use umbrellas with a reflective inside as a diffusion device when employing artificial lighting and as a glare shield and shade, most often in portrait situations.”

See what I mean about the information that we can get from Nationaldaycalendar.com? National Umbrella Day is celebrated on February 10th every year. Depending on which part of the country, umbrellas may or may not be equipment that you’re using during this time of the year. If it rained where I live during the month of February, it would be unusual because it is the driest month of the year for Minnesota. However, that should not stop any one from celebrating this national day. We can buy a new umbrella for ourselves or for someone who could use one.

In my opinion, and I’ve used this metaphor before, if peace is the umbrella over love, connection, safety and acceptance, then the virtues of kindness and mindfulness fall under the umbrella of thoughtfulness. And since thoughtfulness comes in so many shapes and sizes - it’s easy to be thoughtful. I feel that the handkerchief is a thoughtful pinch that one doesn’t ever expect or want returned and it reminds me of the gesture of offering an umbrella. Sure, giving away an umbrella costs more than a handkerchief but what I’m specifically talking about is the gift of temporary shelter. Whether heat or rain, when offering the umbrella to provide protection from weather elements, the action is pure - there are no strings attached. Sigh! If all gifts had no strings attached, like the offering of an umbrella, life could be so uncomplicated.

On February 10th, I recommend celebrating National Umbrella Day in a way that brings you joy. Maybe even do something thoughtful for someone else. It’s just another opportunity to feel good about letting someone else know they matter to you. By doing so, you may be singing in the rain. …ella, ella, eh, eh, eh.

Pinches,

Barb