Spiritual Journey - rainy days

.05 RAINY DAYS
by Angela

I was originally going to write about being virtuous. But that has flown from my mind. Instead, I lay here alone in my king-size bed and listen to the rhythmic throbbing of rain against my window pane. I open the window and feel the cool caress of the night's wind across my body and remember just how much I love the rain. I remember all the things I love to do in the rain. I reminisce and it is good.

Remembering leads me to a conversation I had recently with a friend about alternatives for those moments when your body ignores your mind and either cries out for or demands intimacy. Our favorite alternative is food. What a good friend food can be. And, isn't it amazing how just the act of putting food into your mouth can be satisfying. especially if done over and over and over again.

But, I shall not dwell on this. Instead, I will think about the last time I, to use an old-fashioned term, frolicked in the rain. It was a hot, rainy day in August of last year. It was during a summer downpour. My daughter and I ran out of the house, into the rain in our lightweight, summer dresses, much to the chagrin of my mother. But we did not care. We jumped in puddles, splashed each other, got drenched and giggled in girlish delight. We had a great time.

Isn't it amazing all the different things we can do in the rain. We can walk and talk in the rain, snuggle and hold hands in the rain. We can lay under mounds of blankets and watch old movies in the rain. We can sing and dance in the rain, eat fondue and stew in the rain. And we can have crazy sex or make gentle love in the rain. And how many of us actually take the time to think about the beauty of rain? It can be cold and chilling, cool and refreshing, or slick and warm. It can cause you to put on more clothes or totally disrobe. Rain is a great creation. It can destroy as easily as it can create. It helps young things to grow, just as living life to the fullest can help one to grow in many different and exciting ways. And just as too much rain can inhibit progress, so can living life on the sidelines cause dust to grow under ones feet. When, finally, one gets back out into the game, one finds that life has left one behind. However, I have also found that sometimes sitting on the sidelines and paying attention can reveal unbelievable insights. And that works because I can catch up. But, I digress.

Rainy days bring out my contemplative nature. My mind does not seem to be able to settle down, which makes it impossible to fall asleep. Usually I write. So, here I am sharing my thoughts with you. What is flowing through my mind now... poetry
A short verse on rainy day fairies

Rainy day fairies
Who carry the hope of tomorrow
Drop the future on me
and pray
that I am ready

A verse from a piece on rain

It is life sustaining
But not the essence of life
It can be cool and healing
Warm and soothing

And though it can be
continuous and damaging
It is a thing of beauty
A gift from above

And a verse from a piece on raindrops

Finally
I flee in desperation
To the outside
To the fairies of mother nature
And there
Feeling the bits of coolness
They bring down to me from the skies
To places on
about and around me
As they descend
To often unexpected places
Quenching the fire
Where they land

Lifting the heat from my body
As they land

Ah, rain and raindrops. But it is very, very late now and I have an early day tomorrow. So I must bid you adieu. But before I go. for the next week, take a moment each day, stop what you are doing, go outside and take in all the beauty that surrounds you: the weather, the people, the buildings and nature. All of that has been created by a Higher Power, from whom the foundation of all creation stems. That Higher Power created and continues to create just for you and me. And, as you are appreciating the beauty of creation, if it is raining and you are too embarrassed to splash in a puddle, catch a raindrop on your tongue. Then smile and know that, though life is not always easy, it is good. Oh, then go find someone special and kiss in the rain. Just because.

Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby.

Langston Hughes (writer 1902-1967)