Footprints and Umbrellas: Brolly Blog Goes Wandering

This is probably much more appropriate for my Internet Wandering/Wondering habits, but it is about umbrellas and comforms to my random unearthing of umbrellas in our lives. Today's link comes from India's Express News Service which tells the story of the patients of the Institute of Palliative Medicine (IPM), Kozhikode, who are eagerly looking forward to the monsoon season:

The reason, the 14,000 umbrellas made by them, some lying on the beds and some confined to wheel chairs, will be unfolded to drench the monsoon rains.

The umbrellas were made as part of "Footprints", the rehabilitation programme launched three years ago for the bed-ridden patients by the Institute of Palliative Medicine (IPM). The initiative is meant for terminally ill patients, suffering spinal disabilities owing to major accidents or diseases and often languishing in hospitals with excruciating pain and depression. Last year, more than 10,000 umbrellas manufactured by them as part of the training were sold like hot cakes.

An order for 14,000 umbrellas branded as "Footprints" has been received two months ago and the demand will soar up with the coming of the monsoon season, said IPM authorities.

While search for more information about these "umbrellas of hope" and for a visual to add to this story, I found the Institute's website, but not much else. However, what I did find, to my surprise, were several pairings for "footprints" and "umbrellas."

The first google hit (and several subsequent ones) was this children's book by Janet Dixon Clough and illustrated by Jennifer Savage Britton. A very recent volume, it is described as "From Ricky Raccoon to Tilley, My Dog and Spider to Raindrops, this collection of imaginative and readable poems brings a fresh and fun look to everyday experiences for parents and children to share. The illustrations will light up your child's imagination and kids will want to share these poems with all their friends. This is sure to be a favorite book in every child's library." Unfortunately, this description gives rise to neither footprints nor umbrellas, so I guess raindrops will have to do for our connection to the umbrellas of hope.

Lyrics | Squeeze lyrics - Footprints lyrics

Second, and something as far as way from a children's book as possible were the lyrics to the song Footprints by Squeeze which end:

The summer is over I can count the cost
Footprints on the beaches are now footprints in the frost
People with umbrellas disappear in the fog
Footprints on the beaches are now footprints in the frost

Both of which are a propos of nothing and are certainly a distraction from the real story--the role of umbrellas and umbrella making in doing good in this world.