Who'll Stop the Rain?

It rained for about two days straight. Storm drains were getting a little overwhelmed and there was “localized” flooding. Nothing really serious, it was just a lot of water to handle all at once. Now that the rain has stopped for a few hours, everything is drying out. Even those who don’t like the rain aren’t complaining - much. Although they have a genuine and often vocal dislike for inclement weather, they know we need the rain. It was an extremely dry January.

I like the rain and snow and wind and fog and whatever other “unpleasantry” Mother Nature throws at us. I don’t like to see people suffer because of it, but I am left quite humbled by the force of even a simple squall, never mind a full-blown storm. I have been in more than a few of Mother Nature’s more intense displays and found that there is great satisfaction in riding them out. It’s unpredictable, uncontrollable and sometimes very intimidating.

Although this recent “rain event” was nothing to get excited about, it still leaves a freshness in its wake. Everything is clean - washed by the rain as it were - and brand new again. It smells fresh. There is a slight chill and the humidity is still high. Despite the cloud cover, the blue sky peeking out is crystal clear. And although it probably isn’t any different from any other Sunday afternoon, it feels quieter… much more serene.

The TV is off, the kids are not around and I have the entire house to myself. What to do? Perhaps light a fire, grab a book, my newspaper and some coffee and just revel in the tenuous peace I’ve stumbled onto. It won’t last, and there are plenty of goings-on external to my cozy little world that are not so cozy at all. But for the moment - for a few moments - the world will have to wait. Now is the time to relax and reflect. The rain will come again.