I love rain drops and rainstorms, reveling in the many sounds they make, the feel of raindrops on my skin, the sight of each drop as it splash-dances onto whatever it touches, the way they freshen the air, and the gift of life bestowed by their very presence.
Sunny days are the norm where I live in California. Rainy days are often few and far between. So, I often water my small redwood grove and fern garden. I do it by hand with a watering hose and it is truly a labor of love.
Today as I watered, I noticed the sound of the water hitting some ancient plants—their predecessors date back to the age of the dinosaurs—and closed my eyes to focus on the musical way the sounds changed as the spray shifted onto various parts of the long, slender plants, much as wind and chimes make their own melody as a gift for all who take the time to experience and appreciate.
I kept my eyes closed, soaking in the rainy melody, feeling the refreshing mist on my sun-warmed body, grateful for the moment, making the moment last, and creating another beautiful memory.
My eyes stayed shut as I sprayed other plants, changing the melody that nature so generously provided to me.
I imagined myself in a wondrous rainstorm while out in nature, and felt at home in its welcoming arms.
I felt warm, safe, fully alive and present, serenity, and inner peace in that embrace.
Feelings of joy and gratitude swept over me.
I was hesitant to break the spell, but there were other things that must be done, so I knew I would soon need to open my eyes and move on with my day.
But before I did, I adjusted the spray once more.
When I opened my eyes, a glorious rainbow appeared. I knew it would be there; a beloved friend who appears when water and sun come together in just the right ways to co-create yet another stunning and truly inspiring miracle.
With Love,
Russ
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
I too, love the rain! And watering! Having been a California resident most of my life, I am very familiar with the treat of an unexpected rain. And the rainbow is the closing finale in all its splendor. Now as a Floridian, I am graced by nature quite frequently, most accompanied by lightning which I find quite breathtaking in itself. Though admittedly, I have experienced the full force of its power when it alighted the roof of a house I was in. So, now I have a love /hate relationship with it…not so with rain and rainbows, though.
Wow, I can understand why you became less enamored with lightning when it caught your roof on fire! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mrs. P.
I too love the rain, unless I have to go out in bad weather then I am not so happy with it but at home were I can sit and watch the rain that I like
Yes, being out in it isn’t always fun. I think kids have a better way of dealing with rain and mud puddles than most of us adults–or at least a more joyous perspective!
keep watering those red-woods and in about ten centuries people will come from all around to see them, Russ!
Sounds like a plan, Bill!
Isn’t it cool to be in the prescence of something that can live a thousand years ? Boggles the mind.
sun-warmed? That’s it I’m moving in with you! I’ve always wanted to live in CA anyway. 🙂
Welcome! I hope you like dogs. We have 4 of them.
YES! I’m a dog person, no cats right?? 😉
How beautifully said. I love rain too, watching it is so calming. Unlike in California, here in Britain we have it often wet and windy, still a good rain is wonderful.
Thank you, Ute. I hope you get to experience California weather someday–or re-experience it if you’ve already visited.
I have never been in the USA, and California is certainly on my list! One day Russ!
I look forward to that day, my friend!
A lovely post Russ… sounds like home…
Thank you, bulldog! You are blessed.
I love the rainbow and love how much you delighted in the sounds of the drops and their result …
Thank you, Mimi. Delighted is a good description as to what I felt.
So beautiful- you have me wishing for rain so that I may have such an ethereal experience.
May you soon receive both, my friend.
Russ