The ornament was one of the gifts my daughter gave me at Christmas this year. She discovered it nestled in a vintage shop crammed with tantalizing used goods and thought of me right away. It gives me a lift whenever I see it dangling at the window.
Although I am certainly no Mary Poppins, it is nice to be associated with umbrellas. An umbrella to me (and Penelope) is a canopy for protection against the splashes, a magic wand with which to make a wish, a handy stick to ward off a stumble, and a parachute geared for adventure rolled into one tidy package.
This perfect gift made me realize how sometimes challenging, but always gratifying, it is to find the right thing for the right person. Have you considered what your perfect gift would be? Perhaps you already have it. Great thinkers have pondered on the less tangible gifts that cannot be contained in a box:
"Health is the greatest gift … ,” according to the Buddha and my mother who used to say that as well.
Voltaire said, “God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.”
Eleanor Roosevelt said, “I think at a child’s birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift should be curiosity.”
Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle to view more BC scenes.
Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms
I think the love of a good dog is a wonderful gift. Our good dog is outside, barking at someone across the street, so I know her distance vision is still working.
ReplyDeleteI let her bark if she's doing it in the middle of the afternoon, but I'll probably bring her in soon. It's all wet and snow-melty out there.
I love your little red umbrella. Wonderful to think of H finding it amongst other old things like that.
Love to all,
Kay and (loud) Lindy
What a delightful gift.
ReplyDeleteLove the red umbrella!
ReplyDeleteThe umbrella ornament was such a thoughtful gift. Your daughter must be a gem.
ReplyDeleteI love the Eleanor Roosevelt quote.
I like to tear the wrapping of the present only chosen for me, and I think I really understand how you felt. The red umbrella must have set fire on your adventuresome and playful mind. The color red is an auspicious color representing happiness and is believed to have a magical power to ward off evil spirit in my culture. The red umbrella will work as a charm whcih makes your adventures safe and secure.
ReplyDeleteShe did find the perfect ornament for you.
ReplyDeleteIts' absolutely darling.
Jen