—Franna, I need a Frozen umbrella.
—You do?
—My friend had a Little Mermaid one but I want a Frozen one.
—I see. Was this your friend in preschool?
—Yes. Before coronavirus.
—Well. We will have to look for a Frozen umbrella, then. To keep you safe and dry when it rains…
She picked it out. It just so happened to come with a little rain jacket.
The week before torrential rains in this long, long hurricane season, in this long, long year.
When I was about her age, my grandmother gave me a ceramic ornament—two children in yellow rain slickers and galoshes hunkered under a big gray umbrella. If I held the base and twisted the top, it played a tune… I knew the lyrics, and sang…
Raindrops keep fallin’ on my head
But that doesn’t mean my eyes will soon be turning red
Crying’s not for me
‘Cause I’m never gonna stop the rain by complaining
Because I’m free
Nothing’s worrying me…
And so the seasons turn, turn, turn, many times over, and here she stands in the autumn of this dreary year, excited for the rain, making her own special brand of magic under a celestial, bright-aqua canopy of love, wonder, and song… I once read that the umbrella is a symbol for power and dignity.
I would say yes, and in this case, absolute joy.
In which I bask.
My heart sings on.
lit bits and pieces 
You promised and you delivered. Simply precious … I will be humming that tune all day. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you enjoyed, Clare – I hadn’t thought of that song in years. Hadn’t planned to write of it at all. I just came back with the sudden memory of the musical ornament my grandmother gave me. Writing is such a wonder this way.
LikeLike
A bright spot, indeed! To find joy in the rain is a necessary skill for survival, I think. And now I have an earworm with an accompanying vision of B.J. Thomas’ voice playing on a 70s AFN radio station as my mother cooks in a brightly lit kitchen in our Italian home. Thanks for that smile today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so delighted the lyrics brought that warm memory back, Chris. I loved B.J. Thomas and remember hovering over my round pink radio (the ones that look lie they have silver eyes), waiting for “Don’t Worry, Baby” to come on. Didn’t know until my youngest son (Cadillac Man, the musician, diehard Beach Boys fan) told me that Brian Wilson wrote it before I was born.
LikeLike
Wonderful story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
This made me smile. It also made me think of a pink and purple raincoat I had when I was in 1st grade. I looked for awhile for an umbrella that would match my stylish plastic raincoat. I remember I had to settle for a purple one. Thank you for the smile today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Delighted that the post brought a memory back! We are made of our stories. 🙂
LikeLike
I adore that you delivered on this and brought such joy to her with this new umbrella.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She is an absolute treasure – I am thankful for the amazing gift she is.
LikeLike
Beautiful in every way…..every word! And that gorgeous girl! I love the connection to you own grandma and the umbrella. You are such a shining light and I love everything you write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You always warm my heart, Kathleen – so grateful for you and YOUR light!
LikeLike
First of all? That SMILE. That smile says EVERYTHING. And the phrase “making her own special brand of magic under a celestial, bright-aqua canopy of love, wonder, and song…” I will continue to hold that phrase by the handle and twirl happily under it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How I love your imagery. Lainie! It’s never rainy when she’s around, no matter what the weather’s doing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Some folks are like that. It’s good to have ‘em around.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So much joy 🙂 What is a frozen umbrella?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you – and to clarify, an umbrella with characters from the Disney movie ‘Frozen’. It’s her favorite movie – we’ve watched it countless times!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ok, that is so nice 🙂 My granddaughter has t-shirts with pictures of some cartoon characters 🙂 She loves them.
LikeLiked by 2 people