"Fallen Warrior"

Walking to Hunter College yesterday I came across this umbrella.,.    It simply could not go on anymore. How bravely it served, facing untoward hardships like wind, snow, sleet, ice, rain, and still faithfully it spread its wings when called upon. This winter has cost many umbrellas their lives. We don't think of these fallen warriors much until we see them lying where they gave out, on the side walk or in this

case a broken  figure collapsed on a snow drift.

              I        checked to make sure it was dead, that there could be no hope of rescue, or revival and it was indeed a "goner". So then I thought that I would give it a proper burial in   the corner trash can but NO! I   thought other people need to see this dead, abandoned umbrella cruelly tossed to the elements as a reminder of the loyal service their own umbrellas give them. Good Lord  people,  most of them are like plow horses; they keep working for you until one day they can't  go another step. But do most people even think at all about their umbrella? Do they treat them as valuable members of the household? 

Oh,  I  think  NOT!

I've seen   many an   umbrella   abused by  impatient   owners, man-handled, cursed  at, pushed beyond their limits and  in some cases just tossed aside or given away like little Oliver. And this umbrella in  particular looked like a work horse. Not ostentatious like those floozy, colorful parasol types that people love to look at but   in   fact are worthless. This (now deceased) umbrella's only adornment was the wooden handle but let's not criticize it  for that or think that it was less useful..  It couldn't help having a wooden handle; I mean  it was born  that  way. Besides, God loves all umbrellas equally.

I made a mistake when I  got my umbrella. I went for the little plastic nob end type with a push button opening. I didn't even give the wooden handled ones a look.. I admit it; I  was prejudiced.  I thought I'll   just get one of those cheap albeit hard working under appreciated immigrant style umbrellas. I  do have  respect for what my umbrella does for me and I  try as best I can to take care of it.

You know the old axiom:  If  you take care of your umbrella; your umbrella will take care of you. For example: some days I'll go out into the rain or snow by myself just to give my umbrella the day off. I also hang it up on my coat rack so I can see it and be reminded of how much it does for me. I trust that in times of great need, it will come through for me. I don't toss it into the dark corners of a closet never to be seen, like some people might do with a red headed step-child. Never that!  I  don't know how much more time my umbrella has left (it's been balky lately) but I know I'm not just going to drop it onto a snow drift and walk away. My God?! It will get the final resting place it deserves. Only when my current faithful companion goes to that great inclement weather in the sky will I begin to look for a real good deal on umbrellas.