If you have ever gotten stuck in the rain, you remember it!
The best part about getting stuck in the rain, is there is nothing you can do to stop it. You’e gonna get wet! And your brain is like, “Oh no! I’m getting wet!... And my CLOTHES are gonna get wet!”. And the other part of your brain is like, “You get wet in the shower, and your clothes get wet every time you wash them… so what’s the problem here?”. This is also true… but why does it still feel so weird/wrong?
But, once you accept that your hair, your face, your clothes, your shoes— are all going to get wet, you are FREE! And it can be blissful! :) … I suppose if you are on your way to work, no one wants to sit in cold wet cloths all day. But if you’re not going to be stuck somewhere, I recommend, the next time it rains… go for a walk. :)
I have SO many endearing thoughts about the rain! Yesterday I took my baby boy for a swim in the pool and it started to rain. And still I thought, “Oh no, we will get wet!”… (What is wrong with me? Haha). And on the drive home, I saw a huge rainbow, and New York City sparkled like the buildings were carved from opal.
Kids should play in the rain…
When it rains, I am sure to take my 10 month old out on our fire escape to feel the droplets, and listen to the sounds. One of my fondest childhood memories is when my parents let us play in the rain! It rained so hard that our driveway flooded a bit. It was such a hot summer day I can still remember how warm the water felt as we splashed around barefoot, in the ankle deep puddle.
My family will never forget…
I am sure every family has those famous stories that are told over, and OVER. Our family’s story took place on vacation, and when we were “a mile” (or something) away from the car, the sky opened up and started to pour BUCKETS!! I was young, I am guessing 5 or something? (I’ll have to have my mom fact check this story.) I remember sitting in the back of my dad’s huge pickup truck, as he stood outside wringing his shoes out, and my mom was in the passenger seat CRACKING UP! … Getting wet in the rain will set you free! :)
(My mom said she thinks I was probably more like 3 years old. So who’s to know how much of this memory is mine, or just implanted from hearing the story so many times.)
Just a few years ago…
My husband and I took a trip to Montreal with our friends Rosa and Miguel. We walked up to the top of Mount Royal on a beautiful (and sunny) day. And then, the sky got dark. We figured we would head back before it started raining too hard. And it just started to rain harder and HARDER! It was like going for a 45 minute walk, directly under a shower head. We couldn’t even wipe the water from our eyes because our hands were dripping wet. We were all totally soaked to our underwear! Once we accepted it, the walk in the rain was AMAZING, and now one of my fondest memories as well. :) Had the sun been shining, I doubt I would be talking about it now. (And thankfully all of our phones survived!)
The song I can’t get out of my head…
“I’ll never stop the rain, by complaining. Because I’m free. Nothin’s worrying me.” - B.J. Thomas.
I have carefully curated a playlist to sing to my little one. (More on that in a future post!) And this song, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” is now one of my favorites!! I encourage you to go take a listen. Who knew that this adorable old song had lyrics to live by!