Rain

It's raining. I walked outside to throw some trash away, and I found myself lingering in the pleasant shower..taking in the smells of the wet pavement, the freshly cut grass...I love the smell of the rain.  I stood there...Something made me unable to move and return to inside the house.

What does rain make you think of?  For some, it probably brings up fear, as we have been dealing with the threat of flooding around here again.  That's a very real thing to fear...the natural phenomenon of rain can cause all kinds of trouble for our manmade homes and roads...as well as wreaking havoc with the natural beauty around us, as we saw with a mudslide recently.  We need the rain...we need food to grow and lakes to fill up...We need it, but we certainly fear it at times.

As I stood outside just a little bit ago, and felt the water begin to touch my face ever so gently, and create droplets on my arms, I couldn't move. There seemed to be a force holding me in place, so I could continue feeling the rain on my skin. Then I became aware that the water on my face was no longer just the rain. My tears began to flow as I realized how I needed this rain to refresh me, renew me...make me clean. I wish it were that easy. I need refreshing and renewing, but I certainly fear it at times.

I may try going outside again. If it's still raining, maybe this time I will twirl and twirl and twirl like I remember doing as a little girl. No fear, no pain, no life experience to worry about.  Just dancing in the rain, enjoying the moment.

"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby."