I love rainstorms, reveling in the many sounds they make, the feel of raindrops on my skin, the sight of each as it splash-dances onto whatever it touches, the way rainstorms freshen the air, and the promise in the very presence of this life-giving liquid.
Sunny days are the norm where I live in California. Rainy days are often few and far between, so I sometimes need to water the fern garden that is part of my small, young, redwood grove. I do it by hand with a watering hose.
When I water, I love to create rainstorms and rainbows on cloudless days. I watch raindrops splatter into plants whose predecessors date back to the age of dinosaurs, view them skitter along broad, verdant, leaves, tickle the fragile features of lace ferns, or bounce off heartier plants to take to the air yet again, if only for a moment of wild abandonment before falling back to earth.
I close my eyes to focus on the musical way the sounds change as the spray shifts onto various parts of the long slender plants. Muted chimes playing a melody for me. I spray other plants, changing the tune nature provides.
With my eyes still closed, I feel the refreshing mist on my sun-warmed body, grateful for the moment, making it last, feeling at home in the welcoming arms of nature. In that embrace I feel warm, safe, fully alive and present, with a feeling of blissful serenity and inner peace. Feelings of joy and gratitude sweep over me. It feels great to be alive.
Although hesitant to break the spell, I know I need move on with my day. I adjust the spray once more, open my eyes, and behold a glorious rainbow. I knew it would be there; a faithful friend and fitting climax to a beautiful experience, much as a magnificent sunset can be a fitting ending to a beautiful day.
They all remind me yet again of the many miracles all around me when I have the wisdom to pause and experience them in all their glory.
With Love,
Russ
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
sheer poetry, russ.
Thank you for your kind comment, beth.
Water is memorizing … What a beautiful Middle Ground moment Russ 🙂
(Big Smile!) Thank you Val. I agree. I find it interesting that two of the things I find most fascinating are fire and water.
Both move and catch the light … or perhaps you were a dragon water snake in an other times and life 😉
LOL! That must be it!
Great post…Thanks for sharing your post and following me at Confessional Poetry. I have moved please check out my new blog at
http://www.writerannjohnsonmurphree.wordpress.com
I call it Libretto…if you are following Libretto I appreciate your loyalty. Ann
Thank you, Ann. Your Cotton story is interesting. I met a couple like that in the south.
It is great to make your own rainbow. Beautifully written Russ! I would love to see your garden!
Thank you, Ute. If you are ever in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area you’re invited.
Thank you so much, Russ, one day I shall go over the pond…..
What a blessed life Russ. Captivating in a very comforting and colorful way.
Blessed indeed, my friend. Thank you.
“,,,blissful serenity and inner peace.” You’ve nailed it. Fantastic. 🙂
Thank you for your kind comment.
You are welcome.
Beautiful, loving, miraculous post, Russ. Thank you!
I appreciate your taking the time to say so, Ann. Thank you!
Though I do love rainbows…I have to admit, I LOVE a great thunderstorm with ominous clouds and sudden flashes of lightning, thunder cracking right behind it. It’s a guaranteed snap to attention moment.
I feel the same, Mrs. P. Where I live we’re lucky to get two small thunderstorms per year. If we see a feel flashes of lightning it is a noteworthy occasion. When I was in my mid-teens I once had to ride a bicycle in a big rainstorm and thunderstorm at night for a number of miles. It got my attention.
I’d have been scared to death…I have learned that thunderstorms command a lot of respect. When they come, I get out of their way.
I was scared to death but couldn’t get out of the way…
Yes, you got that sprinkler moment just right. I can almost smell the scents of fern and forest. Cheers.
Thank you, jbw. It’s always good to hear from you. I think another reason I love ferns and redwoods is I’m not allergic to them. Some tree and grasses make me cough almost non-stop.