The death of an umbrella
It was a very *good* umbrella. Its blue and white panels brightened the dimness of a rainy day. The logo of the local public school served as a reminder that, as a teacher, I am appreciated, and that some things in life really *are* free. It held up to many storms and drizzles, windy and otherwise, and when it got turned inside out, it always managed to get itself facing inside in again, with few if any scars. It held up well for a year and a half.
Then, the bottom of the handle came off.
The most common cause of umbrella death seems to be a detached metal vein - often two or three, as some umbrellas are hardy enough to continue on with only one broken. Sometimes, the veins snap; other times, they just pull away, leaving the cloth to flop uselessly about, sometimes above the unlucky owner's now sodden head.
Once, I had an umbrella die of old age. After a number of years of use, the fabric began to develop holes, until one became large enough to let water drip inside. These holes probably came from too many scrapes against the rough surface of the subway platform. That is my guess.
But this umbrella died differently. It lost the bottom of its handle, the plastic part with the grip, and also the button that caused the umbrella to open.
Obviously, it was a unique umbrella, in its death as well as in its life. I will miss it.
And now, since it is raining, I need to go out and buy a new one.
Then, the bottom of the handle came off.
The most common cause of umbrella death seems to be a detached metal vein - often two or three, as some umbrellas are hardy enough to continue on with only one broken. Sometimes, the veins snap; other times, they just pull away, leaving the cloth to flop uselessly about, sometimes above the unlucky owner's now sodden head.
Once, I had an umbrella die of old age. After a number of years of use, the fabric began to develop holes, until one became large enough to let water drip inside. These holes probably came from too many scrapes against the rough surface of the subway platform. That is my guess.
But this umbrella died differently. It lost the bottom of its handle, the plastic part with the grip, and also the button that caused the umbrella to open.
Obviously, it was a unique umbrella, in its death as well as in its life. I will miss it.
And now, since it is raining, I need to go out and buy a new one.