As I type, we’re on a road trip. Heading home after dropping our son at college in the south. First time for everything. I’ll fill you in more on that later. The air’s been soupy, hot and muggy this week and I’ve found myself wishing for a soft spring rain. A soft summer rain would be fine too. Enjoy this piece I wrote several springs ago.
Today’s been beautiful in so many ways, and I’m not just talkin’ weather. You know what we say in New England: if you don’t like the weather, wait an hour. Works in reverse too. (Bleh.)
Soft Spring Rain
The sky dawned blue-eyed, crystal clear this morning. Fresh, spring-like. Low forties feels like summer after what we’ve endured this past winter. A strange week weather-wise, that’s for sure. Started with snow early on, graduated to hail mid-week. Then bright, sunny and clear this morning.
Hudson and I head to music therapy mid-morning. (Hudson, our little boy with Down syndrome.) He’s faithfully, energetically practiced his lion roar about six months now.
An old Rich Mullins CD quietly plays. The lyrics: “and the children keep learning, how to grow up big and strong, how to grow up big and strong.” And Hudson, he “sings”, growls along. Barely squeezes in the last syllable of each phrase. Roars out the “ig” and the “ong” right on cue. Love this little boy.
Slowly making his way in this world, learning to grow up big and strong. His way, his time-table.
“Promise me you’ll always remember: you’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
-A.A.Milne
I love that quote.
Later he heads out on the bus to afternoon pre-school. By now the sky’s dark, overcast. Ominous and foreboding. I stack toys, wash dishes, then head out to pick up boys from school.
It’s pouring a Soft Spring Rain now. Haven’t seen, felt rain in months. Snow only. (Snow, snow and more snow.) Almost forgot what a spring rain feels like. Fresh. So much water coming down. And so soft.
I think of that little kid in the spring rain. Donning the rain boots, rain slicker. Heading out alone. Excited. Nearly quivering. Me. To the winding gravel driveway.
Finding that long stick. Digging the shallow paths, converging and diverging paths in the dirt. Manufacturing streams and rivers, canals and moats. Lakes and oceans. The water moving. Constantly moving, mesmerizing.
Like staring into flames. Always changing, ever the same. Cozy. Dry. Feeling that delicious rain beat through the slicker.
Oh for a stick, a gravel driveway, a yellow slicker, shiny red rain boots.
Grabbing the umbrella, I pick up Charlie first. Doesn’t want space under the canopy. He wants wet. (Boys.) On to the next school for Hudson. We arrive early, wait the few minutes in the car.
I look up. Straight up. Overcast, smoky gray sunroof canvas. Rain beats, straight down. Droplets join droplets, collect. Form rivulets.
Charlie, he watches too. Mesmerized. The beads, they collect, grow, attract one another, join other larger rolling beads. Wander off. New ones form. So mesmerizing, riveting. Like flames.
Hudson, he comes out of school baffled by the rain. He’s forgotten what rain feels like, but so happy to join me under the umbrella. We snuggle in close, buckle up then drive home.
Parked in the driveway, we stare skyward again. Oak branches tower, beads collect. A thousand magnifying glasses, prisms.
Rain drops, they fall relentlessly. Surface tensions break, bead by bead. We could sit here for hours, not move a muscle. I whisper that aloud.
Five minutes later the phone vibrates. Jolts me back to reality. I slowly remove the key, collect the backpacks.
“But you said we’d sit here for hours,” says Charlie. (My literalist.)
I said we could. And truly, I’d love that.
That, and a stick, a gravel driveway, a yellow slicker, shiny red rain boots.
(P.S. Snow forecasted this week.)
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Linda Jenkins says
I love your vision of the raindrops overhead. It would be nice to enjoy Mother Nature with peace. Unfortunately, the world intrudes and all we get is just a few brief moments of pleasure. I long to see the world anew through the eyes of a child. Thanks for the brief glimpse.
Barbara Child says
Only you can make a rainy day be so much fun!
aunt pinkie says
Love a rainy day but not first thing in the morning- Dolly hates the rain and won’ t go out to take care of her business! your reminiscences were soothing- thanks. Am hoping our snow is finally over, here in PA!
nancy mcmahan says
You truly are one who can see/feel the peace that is all around us even through all the chaos of daily living. Thank you for reminding me that the peace is there.
Tracy says
This brought back my childhood memories of playing in the rain puddles. I had forgotten those nice memories. Thank you! The pictures came out great. Very cool! I’ll have to remember to take the time to enjoy the rain next time.
Nancy Hammett says
Thank you for sharing this beautiful moment. I like listening to slow gentle rain it is so peaceful and thinking about gods creations . I just put what as being going that day out of my mind.
Susie says
Cool pictures of the rain drops. Glad you could enjoy the rain for at least a little bit. =)
Denise says
I loved this until I heard that snow was forecast, lol.
Karla @SmallTownRambler says
Love your photos! Snow again?? 🙁 I think all the snow makes anyone appreciate the rain even more.
Jen says
Oh, I love the imagery and memories!
Candace says
Love this, Allie. It’s beautiful how you just lived in the moments of this rainy day with your sweet boys. It made me want to play in the rain with my son :). Rain can be a beautiful thing to watch but I’m usually not a fan of being out in it. The weather is ridiculously crazy here in Kentucky too! I feel your pain.
Aunt Margie says
Rain, PLEASE! (From sunny CA!) I appreciate yours, and your snowy stories, from afar.
Carina Spring says
Beautiful pictures. I am enjoying the first evening rain of the season. I’ve cracked the window open so as to experience the fragrance and sounds of the rain. It’s like a gift, softly washing away the sad feelings I had after a difficult day.
Allie says
Carina, many thanks for your comment. It gives me joy to think of you enjoying the gift of spring rain wherever you are. I was sorry to hear about your difficult day on Thursday, and I sincerely hope things have improved since then.
Carina Spring says
Thank you for your caring reply, Allie. I really appreciate it, and I am starting to feel better. Take care. 🙂
Allie says
You are very welcome Carina, and I’m so glad to hear you are improving.
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Allie, I so loved reading this post, ahhh… if only we had hours to linger in nature’s presence and freeze moments like this -at least till we are ready to move on. Your photos are so moving, go so well with this beautiful post.
Safe travels to y’all. Big big hugs & wishes for a wonderful, less soupy weekend.
Aunt Pinkie says
Loved re-reading this post! May God bless you and yours today!
Nancy mcmahan says
Allie I love the way you write you take me right into wherever you are. Thank you. I wish it were pouring rain here..I would go sit I my car and get lost in the moment
Kathy says
Allie, Love hearing your lovely narrative, reading, and seeing the beautiful pictures of rain… Like a poem. And then there’s Hudson…. :o) Wow!
Carina says
Dear Allie, it was so heartwarming to see this post again, not only because it is a beautiful post with wonderful pictures, but also because it was a day when I first connected with a fine person who, in this great big blogosphere, feels like a kindred spirit. ? Xoxo
Allie says
Dear Carina, I thought of you when I re-posted this. I’ve always found it interesting that we met over this particular post. For several reasons, but also because your last name is “spring”. Did that ever occur to you? It was destiny. 🙂 Thank you for all the kindness you have shown me all along the way, it means a great deal. Wishing you a wonderful fall, because that’s what’s coming down the pike, whether we’re ready or not. I wish it could stay summer just a little longer. XOXO
Susie Mandel says
Love how you write, Allie–feels like I’m sitting right next to you. 😉
Allie says
Thank you very much Susie! And funny how that is…:)
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
You always write so beautifully Allie! I’d kill for some soft spring rain right now… it would be much nicer than the summer sun beating down on me with not a cloud in sight – no shade or protection. Next time it rains here and I’m in the car I will be sure to think of you(!)… and wish I could spend a few hours just soaking in mother nature. Cheers to a beautiful week, doll! xoxo
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
What a beautifully written post. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post, Allie. A confession: I am not so fond of rain, but somehow this music and these photos are so calming.
Tracy says
I love this post! It really shows off your beautiful writing.
Allie says
Thank you Tracy, I really enjoyed writing it. xo