A Little Umbrella
Thirteen years ago this November, my dad stayed at the hospital with my youngest brother, Shepard, while my mom took the other four of us children to do some Christmas shopping.
Earlier that year, Crawford (who was 4) had gotten a little Winnie the Pooh umbrella that he absolutely loved. Shepard was really enamored with it, and so I picked out a little 101 Dalmations umbrella for him.
I paid my $10 for it at Dillard’s, then brought it home and put it away, ready to be wrapped for Christmas morning.
Shepard died of cancer just a week or so later, at the age of three, and that little umbrella remained in my closet, unwrapped, for several more years.
When I got married, and Bart and I bought a house, I brought it out to Texas along with most of my other belongings. It made the move to Boston with us, and then survived the great purge when we sold nearly all our belongings and moved back to Texas.
Two weeks ago, when we packed up all our material possessions again, that umbrella got put in yet another box and drove all the way to North Carolina with us.
On Monday night, the day before Ella turned three, I finally pulled that umbrella out and wrapped it up.
After all these years of seeing that umbrella, unused with the tags still on, it chokes me up a little to see another little blond three-year-old finally getting to enjoy it. I think Shepard would approve.
This is just beautiful, thank you for sharing.
xox
Oh, this is so sweet. What a gorgeous way to remember your little brother.
I am so glad you shared this, Janssen. I had no idea you held on to it for all those years. I am glad that a sweet three year-old will get to play with it finally.
This is so wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing this story. That last photo, especially, warms my heart. I'm sure your brother and heaven are smiling down on you and yours…
What an inspired why to create beauty out of loss. Thank you for sharing.
I don't know what to say that other people haven't already said, but I want to say SOMETHING because that is such a touching story. Thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful tribute to your little brother. I'm sure he approves. Something about umbrellas and small children (or any of us) are perfect together. Thank you for sharing.
tears
So sweet. Thanks for sharing.
What a sweet story. Great post-thanks for sharing.
Wow, my heart. How amazing. Thank you so much for sharing that. I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your little brother.
*hugs*
This warms my heart. Hugs to you, your family and sweet little Ella.
I'm sending you a big, two minute long hug, from New York.
Such a beautiful tribute to your baby brother.
This was such a wonderful post! I had no idea you'd lost a brother to cancer. I'm sure he'd be happy to know that his niece was so excited about his umbrella. My heart goes out to you!
You made me cry! That was so sweet- thanks for sharing!
What a touching story. I'm so sorry for your loss. <3
Runt
runtspickins@yahoo.com
http://www.runtspickins.wordpress.com
this is such a sweet post. thank you for sharing.
Such a sweet story, thank you for sharing. My little girl adores her umbrella as well, and what a special way to pay homage to your brother and connect him to your daughter! My heart goes out to you 🙂
oh my gosh, I just bawled my head off. such a sweet story!