Sunday, November 29, 2009

I found my brolly!

It's such a silly little proclamation, but I think the memory of it is what matters. A few years ago, I was in London by myself. I had been in Oxford for a teacher training, but returned to London to have some independent time and to make sure that I could travel without a companion, a challenge that forced me to rely on my own intuition. My London friend, Mark, with whom I visited earlier in the week, let me camp out at his house for free while he was away on business. Free was the only way I could make staying work.

But there I was, in London roaming around, blissfully lost in thought. It had sprinkled on and off as is the usual London M.O. and I stupidly hadn't remembered to pack an umbrella. When the sprinkling switched to more of a downpour, I ducked into a little shop and found a small black umbrella adorned with silver moths. The moth is my power animal insect, so the brolly - the charming nickname Brits use in lieu of the more vulgar sounding 'umbrella' - was clearly meant for me. I bought it and then hoped it would rain for the rest of my stay.

When I returned home, faced with the arid climate of Texas, I put away the umbrella for the rare rainy day. Unfortunately until today, I hadn't remembered where I stored it.

Every time rain was in the forecast, I went hunting for the brolly. Hours and hours were spent digging for and cussing over and fretting about that little umbrella, the only meaningful souvenir I had bought on that trip. It was more than a thing. It was a reminder of that specific time in my life, that journey. And I had lost it.

Today while I was looking for something in a cabinet, I spotted something silver way, way in the back. As I focused in on the silver, I realized it was a moth! My moth! I began flinging all of the clutter aside and reached for the umbrella.

"I found it! My brolly! Rich! I found it! It's here!!" And I went dancing around the house with it. The celebration went on for an hour, at least (Sorry, Rich). I may sleep with it tonight. I am so glad to have it back.

Like I said, it's silly, silly, silly, silly!

And still, I found my brolly!

5 comments:

Pam said...

I don't think it's silly at all. I totally get it. I have some very simple posessions that mean an awful lot to me and if I misplaced them I'd be very upset. So glad you found your brolly. (Love that name, too. I just might start using it)

Jen said...

OH that's such a good feeling!! I am so glad you found it! Not sure what the weather is in your part of Texas but here it's cold and rainy!! Perfect for your brolly!!

Hope you have a good week!! I am crossing all my fingers and toes that the temperature will drop and we'll see snow in the morning!! I even said a little a prayer! Not sure if the Lord feels it worthy since all I want is s a SNOW day!! heehee!!

msprimadonna67 said...

There's nothing wrong with take joy in the small things in life. I pity those who don't relish the simple and the 'silly.'

Lisa (the girls' moma) said...

Hey - when you've been suffering from baby brain as long as you have, that's QUITE an accomplishment!

Love you!
Lis

Unknown said...

That's grand! I hate when I can't find something, especially when I need it. It always turns up when I stop looking though.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

I found my brolly!

It's such a silly little proclamation, but I think the memory of it is what matters. A few years ago, I was in London by myself. I had been in Oxford for a teacher training, but returned to London to have some independent time and to make sure that I could travel without a companion, a challenge that forced me to rely on my own intuition. My London friend, Mark, with whom I visited earlier in the week, let me camp out at his house for free while he was away on business. Free was the only way I could make staying work.

But there I was, in London roaming around, blissfully lost in thought. It had sprinkled on and off as is the usual London M.O. and I stupidly hadn't remembered to pack an umbrella. When the sprinkling switched to more of a downpour, I ducked into a little shop and found a small black umbrella adorned with silver moths. The moth is my power animal insect, so the brolly - the charming nickname Brits use in lieu of the more vulgar sounding 'umbrella' - was clearly meant for me. I bought it and then hoped it would rain for the rest of my stay.

When I returned home, faced with the arid climate of Texas, I put away the umbrella for the rare rainy day. Unfortunately until today, I hadn't remembered where I stored it.

Every time rain was in the forecast, I went hunting for the brolly. Hours and hours were spent digging for and cussing over and fretting about that little umbrella, the only meaningful souvenir I had bought on that trip. It was more than a thing. It was a reminder of that specific time in my life, that journey. And I had lost it.

Today while I was looking for something in a cabinet, I spotted something silver way, way in the back. As I focused in on the silver, I realized it was a moth! My moth! I began flinging all of the clutter aside and reached for the umbrella.

"I found it! My brolly! Rich! I found it! It's here!!" And I went dancing around the house with it. The celebration went on for an hour, at least (Sorry, Rich). I may sleep with it tonight. I am so glad to have it back.

Like I said, it's silly, silly, silly, silly!

And still, I found my brolly!

5 comments:

Pam said...

I don't think it's silly at all. I totally get it. I have some very simple posessions that mean an awful lot to me and if I misplaced them I'd be very upset. So glad you found your brolly. (Love that name, too. I just might start using it)

Jen said...

OH that's such a good feeling!! I am so glad you found it! Not sure what the weather is in your part of Texas but here it's cold and rainy!! Perfect for your brolly!!

Hope you have a good week!! I am crossing all my fingers and toes that the temperature will drop and we'll see snow in the morning!! I even said a little a prayer! Not sure if the Lord feels it worthy since all I want is s a SNOW day!! heehee!!

msprimadonna67 said...

There's nothing wrong with take joy in the small things in life. I pity those who don't relish the simple and the 'silly.'

Lisa (the girls' moma) said...

Hey - when you've been suffering from baby brain as long as you have, that's QUITE an accomplishment!

Love you!
Lis

Unknown said...

That's grand! I hate when I can't find something, especially when I need it. It always turns up when I stop looking though.