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.

Umbrellas for Peace Coming to Santa Rosa, CA

The WillMar Center for Bereaved Children is coordinating an "Umbrellas for Peace" project in Santa Rosa, California, on April 24. According to the Sonoma Sun, "Rain or shine, some 600 volunteer artists-–bearing their own umbrella hand-painted with a personal message of peace and unity-–will be out for a 4 p.m. stroll on Sonoma Plaza."

"As a symbol of safety and strength, she explained, the umbrella is a wonderful medium to convey the hopes, dreams and wishes of each artist." Chicago artist Matt Lamb created the initial "Umbrellas for Peace" in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the project has since spread around the world. According to Lamb:

The umbrella is a metaphor for protection. It does not discriminate, and all people-regardless of race, age, gender or country--are safe under the umbrella. The top of the umbrella is the shelter and represents our hopes, dreams and aspirations. The underside of the umbrella represents concerns and fears. Lamb Umbrella’s for Peace helps children and adults express their positive emotions and heal negative experiences by painting them onto the umbrella. It teaches children peace, hope, love and creativity instead of the daily message of war and agression. It’s our goal to spread these messages into the world through art.

The Deductible Umbrella?: Umbrellas for Charity

According to an article in the East Valley Tribune, what started as a charity umbrella auction in conjunction with a local theater's production of "Singin' in the Rain" turned into a national fundraising effort on behalf of a set of conjoined twins. "Umbrellas dotted with signatures from the likes of Hugh Jackman, Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon lined the lobby of Mesa's Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre" in advance of an auction being held at the theater and online on eBay.