Rain or Shine

 You should have seen the smile I had when I thought of the umbrella I was blushing! 😊 I need to give a virtual hug to the inventor. Thank God it was a lady. Welcome to my gratitude page today. Take a deep breath, exhale the stress of the day, and relax. You are doing just fine.

Umbrella 🌂 ⛱️ ☔️ ☂️ 🏖! I had to include these colorful umbrellas because this device is a lifesaver in every weather, especially during the rainy season. For some of us who are like chocolate and salt, an umbrella is essential. I choose to identify as chocolate in the rain! 😆

The umbrella, dating back 4,000 years to ancient Egypt and China, started as a sunshade for nobility. The creation of the umbrella is attributed to the wife of Lu Ban. It evolved into a rain protector in China by waterproofing paper parasols. Spread to Greece and Rome, it became a women's accessory. Funny enough, even today, umbrellas are mostly owned by women. 

Reintroduced in the Renaissance, it became a luxury item in Italy. By the 18th century, umbrellas gained popularity in England, thanks to Jonas Hanway. The Industrial Revolution improved their design with steel ribs and folding mechanisms. 

Today, umbrellas are lightweight, durable, and come in various styles, continuing to be both practical and culturally significant worldwide. Umbrellas can represent protection, prosperity, royalty, power, shelter, prestige, femininity, and fashion within cultures around the world. These attributes are represented in art, sculpture, figurines, religion, literature, and practice.

I am grateful for umbrellas on these rainy days, even though I still haven’t bought one yet. Yes, I am grateful for it. If you’ve ever been to the northeastern part of Nigeria, you will be grateful for umbrellas, especially during the dry season when the temperature can go as high as 40-45°C.

I met a friend in camp at Gombe. He must have been told about the weather because he came prepared with his umbrella. We ended up sharing it, and he is a kind and sweet soul. Thanks, buddy, for watching out for me in those days. There are nice people with no ulterior motives.

I am grateful for the umbrella for the symbol it stands for. I am grateful for the umbrella because I can go out in the rain. I am grateful for the umbrella on sunny days; it protects my skin from UV rays. I am grateful for the umbrella because sometimes it’s a weapon to protect from harm be it animal or even some human beings! 😏

Did you know the umbrella is also known as a portable, hand-held device?

Kindly share your gratitude for this amazing portable, hand-held device.