Babysitting Tad today. And as luck would have it, it's been raining all day. Not a hard pounding rain, but a gentle one. So today we experienced rain. Turned off Pandora, then stood and watched from the office/playroom slider. He's not big on big fat drops splashing him from above. They have a nice wooden planked deck in their back yard with a brand new deck umbrella. I popped it open and pulled a dry chair under it's protective radius. Then I gathered Tad and we sat under the umbrella. He wasn't sure what to think, being out in the rain but not getting wet, so he sat very still and with his big blue eyes and all other senses in high mode he began to experience it. He listened to the sound it made bouncing off the umbrella, pinging off the roof, and dripping on leaves. He watched it falling against the backdrop of the dark trees. He watched the bubbles that formed by drops hitting the patio and gliding all around till they popped. The rain fell in heavier drops off the umbrella. I showed him how to hold his hand out and catch a drop. He was utterly fascinated. Didn't want them dropping on his head, but was good with catching them on his hand. He watched the birds flying, then landing on the wires overhead, how they'd fluff and shake the water from their feathers. Then we moved in closer to the house, close enough we were protected by the rain gutters. We sat on the floor of the open slider and watched the water gurgling out of the rain spout - right next to us, bubbles forming on the outer reaches. I was thrilled by all the wild green growing things being nourished and encouraged to grow even more. It was exciting. And it all smelled so good - the wet wood, the wet earth, mmmmm . . . . ! We watched a large snail move it's way slowly up the side of the deck and finally reach the top. I picked it up and brought it over for Tad to see but as soon as he saw I had it in my hand he jumped up, turned and bolted for the inner safety of the living room. Uh-uh, no way was he having anything to do with that snail on a up close basis. Tad crinkled his nose and stomped side to side. Ok, so I set the snail as close to us possible on the deck. He was close enough for us to watch it's little eyes stick up and roam about. Tad was good to observe from this distance. Then we just sat there for the longest time soaking it all in. Normally he runs and we chase like wild banshees, but not this morning. Like I said, we experienced rain on a personal level - and it was WONDER FULL.
I love the rain. I love the smells and feels as it merges with the earth. For some silly reason it excites me. I feel mischievous, and clever. My creative flow ignites. I feel the little girl again, stomping in puddles, dancing in the downpour. I'm happy to report, that even this grown woman still puddle stomps and dances in the downpour, as do all of my children. None of us ever melted in the rain. Not sure what that says of us being that people made of sugar are supposed to melt in the rain. Oh well, don't care either. This is the day I need to write. Being that I'm babysitting, the length of my writing time will be dictated by the length of little Tad's nap. So, while I have a few more minutes I'm going to go get to it. Happy rain day!!
I love the rain. I love the smells and feels as it merges with the earth. For some silly reason it excites me. I feel mischievous, and clever. My creative flow ignites. I feel the little girl again, stomping in puddles, dancing in the downpour. I'm happy to report, that even this grown woman still puddle stomps and dances in the downpour, as do all of my children. None of us ever melted in the rain. Not sure what that says of us being that people made of sugar are supposed to melt in the rain. Oh well, don't care either. This is the day I need to write. Being that I'm babysitting, the length of my writing time will be dictated by the length of little Tad's nap. So, while I have a few more minutes I'm going to go get to it. Happy rain day!!