One of the things that I love most about summer is a good rainstorm. I love to listen to the thunder. I love the sound of rain – the pitter patter against the window pane. I love the fresh smell of recently washed air. I love the way my garden responds, as plants that had been languishing in the heat, suddenly perk up and the green becomes greener. Often, the rainstorms are followed by rainbows.
Yesterday I was able to enjoy three rainstorms. I had driven 30 miles to do some grocery shopping and as I pulled into the parking space at the supermarket, a dark cloud opened up and a deluge of rain burst forth. I had forgotten my umbrella, so I simply sat in my car for the duration, which was just over 30 minutes. I watched as people ran to and from their cars, knowing that for most of them the rain was an inconvenience. Later, on my drive home, I went through another rainstorm and after arriving home, yet another. I miss the long, soaking rains of the southeast. Now I must be content with the short lived rains here in this semi-arid climate. I think it is sad that so many people spend almost the entirety of their lives indoors, insulated from the natural world and from the rain.
I am grateful. I am grateful that I can spend several hours a day nurturing plants, coaxing vines and flowers into colorful displays and caring for vegetables that will in turn care for me. When I work in my garden it is a win-win situation of giving, taking, and giving back again. Rain is more than a gift. It is water in one of its purest forms and every living thing is made up of water. We are essentially water, too. Summer rain reminds me of just how precious water is and how precious is this thing called life.
