There was a time when I believed my umbrella choices said something noble about me. I was a small umbrella person. The kind who tucks neatly into a bag, emerges politely, and takes up as little space in the world as possible. Compact. Considerate. Mildly damp, but morally superior.
Big umbrellas? Absolutely not. Those were for people who lacked spatial awareness and, frankly, empathy. The kind who swing wide on sidewalks, poke strangers in the eye, and create their own personal weather system. I judged them harshly. Quietly. From beneath my soggy little canopy.
But then this summer happened.
Not gentle rain. Not cinematic drizzle. I’m talking biblical downpours. Sheets of water. Sky tantrums. The kind of storms that don’t just soak you. They humble you. At one point, lightning literally took down a tree in my yard (a story for another day, because obviously I now have storm lore).
And there I was. Clutching my tiny, virtuous umbrella like it was going to save me. It did not. I arrived places looking like I had swum there.
Meanwhile, the Big Umbrella People? Dry. Unbothered. Possibly thriving.
So now I find myself staring at the large umbrellas in my home. The ones I once dismissed as excessive and wondering if I’ve been wrong all along. Or worse, if I’ve evolved.
Because here’s the uncomfortable truth. Sometimes being “considerate” is just another way of making yourself smaller than necessary. Sometimes it means getting drenched while everyone else stays dry. Sometimes it’s less about kindness and more about habit.
And maybe, I’m done with that.
So if you see me out there, wielding a full-sized, unapologetic umbrella, taking up space like I pay rent here mind your eyes.
Growth isn’t always graceful. Sometimes it’s just finally staying dry.
Categories: Culture, current events, identity, mental health, new york, Psychology, society
psychologistmimi 
“Biblical Downpour” Something About a Week Long Heat
Wave and the Comments Nature Makes in Thunder Lightening
And Yes ‘Biblical Downpours’
Make When an Early August So-Called
Cold Front Dips into LA Yes Lower Alabama
AKA
THE PANHANDLE
in infamous Northwest Florida
Like the Rest of Florida and Particularly
ITs
‘Men’
Hehe Dear
Miriam Indeed
The Fear of Weather
So Extreme that it Kept
A Temple Full of Catholics
From Rushing Out as Usual
in the
Streets
to Escape
that Weekly
Obligation Within
Umbrellas of all Sizes
Too Afraid to Face the Lightning
And Thunder and Deluge all around
Which while i Meditated in the Climate
Controlled Temple Awhile Longer Made
me Feel the Colors of Rihanna’s Old ‘Umbrella’
Song a Place of Sanctity Large Enough Above Below
to Bring Others into a Place of Loving Peace Within So
Safe
Secure
And Yes
Dry from all
the Current
Reign of
‘Orange
Rain Lies’
Indeed strangely
Enough it was from
Rihanna’s ‘Orange Version’
“Rainman Is Back With Little Miss Sunshine”
of ‘Umbrella’ It’s Somewhat Off-topic too Yet
We sure
Could Use
an ‘Evolution
Orange’ From
“Earth Wind & Fire”
i guess i’lll wait
for
‘the
Punch Line’…
Close to the Top of Alabama
my Wife’s Fraternal Twin Brother
Was Found During that Storm Down
Here
Dead from
a Heart Attack
In their Bathroom by His Wife
Just reminding me how important
it is to Provide Shelter to Others While We Breathe
At Best Indeed
A Place Now of
Sanctity True
LoVE iN Peace
No Matter if the
Bad Actors continue
to Act or Not in the Storm
Umbrella Secure And Safe
Shall Remain With SMiLes…
And Footprints of Love Will
Continue to Breathe in Souls
Long
after
the
rain is gone…
“Growth Isn’t always graceful.
Sometimes it’s Just finally staying
dry”
with
a tear in heaven
Here Under an Umbrella
Loving Peacefully
Together Free
my Wife Hugging
me so tight this morning
i didn’t Have to get up to pee
Yes Under
An Umbrella Free..:)
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Doesn’t change the fact that MANY people were using BIG umbrellas when a small one would have worked – and not poked out someone’s eye.
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“Growth isn’t always graceful” sent chills down my spine with how truthful the statement is….anyway, great read per usual Mimi, I hope all is well in your world !
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Thank you! Wishing you all the best.
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