7 Days of Gratitude: Day 4 Memories of Rain

Frost kissed the autumn leaves outside my window last night, causing their edges to sparkle like diamonds in the early morning light. There are soft streaks of sunshine filtering into my garden whispering a warmth belied by the white frosting on our lawn, and I am happy to be inside gazing out, with my hands wrapped around a hot mug of coffee.
 
Here in the Puget Sound, we are blessed with cool, clean air – free of the smoke that descended on us last August from the surrounding forest fires. My heart bleeds for those in California whose Thanksgivings will be spent worrying about whether the air they and their children breathe is healthy, and I can’t even begin to imagine what it is like for those who have lost their homes or worse.
 
And so, though this crisp, clear day is beautiful, I absolutely love rain – beautiful, life-giving, nurturing rain. Yes, I grew up in the Pacific NW, and yes, we are often accused of having webbed feet and yes, I crave being surrounded by green and blue. However, unlike some I know, rain doesn’t depress me. Just the opposite - it uplifts me. Rainy days are the days I allow myself some downtime to recharge my energy.
 
Years ago, when I was just out of college, I moved to southern California for work and at first the sunshine was exciting. The minute I was home from work, I would head out into the sun to walk or play volleyball on the beach until sunset – it felt as if I was always on vacation. But after a while, the relentless sunshine started to wear on me. I craved the rain and couldn’t understand why the people around me didn’t.
 
Here’s the thing – our emotional response to rain is to childhood memories. Friends who grew up in warmer climes recall rainy days as being the ones that ruined plans. Here in Seattle? We just don a poncho and carry on!
 
I suppose when presented with sunshine every day, one learns to ignore it when work needs to be accomplished inside. For me, sunny days equate to head-outside-and-take-advantage-of-it days. Don’t get me wrong – I love those days! But I need them interspersed with the stay-inside-rainy days.
 
My coffee is now cold, and I'm still sitting at the window writing while I watch rays of sun melting the frost. It will be a beautiful day today.
 
But the next rainy day will be beautiful too.