John and the Yellow Umbrella: a Trilogy

The umbrella my parents responsibly designated for my protection against torrential Texas downbursts during my freshman year at the University of Houston, was a truly miserable piece of equipment. My father thought it was practical. He also thought girls only went to college to catch husbands. I attended college a while back.

It was "golf size" umbrella, with a giant wooden handle. It often objected to being closed rapidly when I entered the classroom late, dripping, because you see, it was raining.

The prof always belittled me for being late. I was late even on the sunniest of days too. It was usually a long walk from the parking lot. Perhaps I'm easily distracted. That's just my concept of enjoying the moment.

But the professor hated that I wasn't on time for him to get going with class, or I interrupted him as soon as he did get started.

Either the prof took it personally, or you're supposed to be responsible enough by college age to know to show up on time out of respect. Who knows, though it was an issue at the time.

Though I hated the yellow umbrella for the difficulty it presented, allowing me to traverse the campus. I owe it my heart and soul.

This trilogy is dedicated to those who know the emotions sheltered under a yellow umbrella, perhaps some of their own.

I lost my yellow umbrella, and found the love of my life. This is a tale of love found, love lost, and love lost tragically.

"It is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all." This trilogy questions Shakespeare's thesis.