Guest Writer for Wake Up World
When the heavens open.
Recently I was at the counter of a health food shop, when the lady serving made a stark comment about how “awful the weather is”. The rain was torrential, the clouds were black and anyone with out a raincoat or umbrella was getting drenched. Despite realising that it wasn’t the ‘expected sociable response’ to be happy about the rain, I just couldn’t agree with her…
What I was really thinking was – how blessed we were that we were not drought stricken. How vibrant the plants and trees looked. How rapidly my water-butts would be filling up in the garden back at home. What amazing poetry the rain created as it washed, cleansed and kissed the earth. So, I expressed my version of reality with a warm smile as she looked at me in that kind of ‘gone out’ sort of way, when it feels like you are a lonely fish swimming against the current in a big big river. I guess it’s all a matter of perspective.
Given half the chance, children will dance and splash in the rain for hours. My son could never resist the water. Same with any other kids I’ve been around. If it is wet, they’re in it, splashing about. Puddles, fountains, streams, the waves. Water can be an incredible element.