In My Yellow Rain Hat

The worst thing about all this gorgeous sunny weather is that I cannot remember exactly when the last rainy day was.  If I knew, there is the off-chance that I could look back on my calendar and learn where I was and what I was doing.  And then maybe, just maybe, I could locate my yellow rain hat.

I’m pretty sure I left it somewhere.  Or perhaps it fell from my pocket where I’d stuffed it between showers.  Or it could have hopped out of my car.  Whatever happened to it, I do wish it would show itself before the next spate of rainy weather.  I will feel lost without it.

My mother gave me that hat.  I was still teaching and it was a Christmas gift sometime after my dad died.  So that would put it before 2001 but after 1982.  Whenever it was, it was love at first sight.  I clearly remember opening the package – a moment etched in memory because I didn’t often like the gifts my mother chose for me.  Especially those in the clothing category.  In that respect she and I were polar opposites.

“Happy 96th!” Sydney and Mom, 2007

I think we both came to that conclusion when I was approaching eleven.  She got me “an outfit” which, in retrospect, I think she hoped would be the quintessential ‘me.’  It was a baby blue pleated (box pleats) skirt with a wide baby blue fake leather belt to match and a baby pink angora sweater.  I remember the horrified feeling I had, knowing that I’d have to wear it to my birthday party.  Everything was a bit snug and I felt like a gigantic stuffed toddler’s toy.  Plus I itched.

The only other time she gave me an “outfit” was some thirty years after that.  It was a belly-dancer’s costume – all metal and chains and tinkling bells and wide open spaces.  It was a Christmas when all of the family had gathered together here in Oysterville and everyone insisted that I try it on.  OMG!  I remember that Marta went upstairs to my bedroom with me and we tried to figure it out.  She, bless her! told the expectant audience below that it wasn’t going to happen.  Whatever was my mother thinking!

Found Online – Who knew?

But the yellow rain hat was perfect.  I have worn it on every rainy day since Mom gave it to me – whenever that was.  I do wish it would show itself.  I am ever hopeful that someone has rescued it and doesn’t know where it belongs.  If you are that person, please let me know.  Perhaps there’ll be a reward.  And I promise, it won’t involve angora or tiny bells of any kind!