Rain, Rain...I'm Okay With You

Today marks our 143rd day of rain in a row. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating, but the skies have been dumping regularly for a near record amount of time these last few weeks and I can become a bit dramatic after so much cold and wetness. “Oh, the sun will never shine again.” “My legs will be a permanent shade of stark white.” “My hair will stay in its frizzy state until the day I die…which could be soon if I begin to mildew.” These are the thoughts that come to mind and stay a while.

But, like most of us dramatic types, we have the ability to swing the other way when we find a lining that is silver—even a sliver of silver. I found such a lining today. I had 36 minutes to myself in a quiet house this afternoon. While my husband paid his dues and picked up the boys and the other kids in our carpool arrangement, I made tea. I swirled plenty of honey into it (and, I confess, a sprinkle of sugar!) and donned my husband’s cheater glasses. They look ridiculous on me, but they are stronger than my own cheaters, therefore they are my favorites. Then, I grabbed my Anne Perry mystery novel, plopped down on my sagging wing-back chair and indulged in the luxury of reading in the middle of the day even though I had plenty of other things to do. It was, of course, dumping rain outside so I wasn’t about to brave the storm and bring in the trashcan from the curb. I couldn’t force myself to do dishes because inevitably I would have had to look outside at the depressing rain (the window above my sink is impossible to ignore) while I scrubbed a soaking casserole dish. The sight of yet more rain could have been lethal. I didn’t dare throw clothes into the washing machine because the sound of even a drip of more water entering my life very likely would have thrown me into the deep end. Figuratively speaking. So, my best choice on this soggy afternoon was to ignore the work beckoning me and pick up my book for 36 minutes. I enjoyed myself immensely.

So, when it rains tomorrow as predicted, I’ll be ready with my book and silver-lining attitude. If I’m lucky it will pour for at least a good 45 minutes.

Great Day

The first-grade boy I work with was all smiles this week as he engaged in play with other boys at recess. He struggles a bit socially so for weeks we've been working on issues of play. His efforts are already paying off. One day, for example, he was enjoying a rip-roaring game of Four-Square (perhaps you didn't know that Four-Square could be "rip-roaring", but trust me on this), when a few of the other players decided to switch games and use the ball to play Three-Flies-Up--or a version of it, anyway. They invited Sam (not his real name) to join them and together they dove at the ball and each other during the better part of lunch recess. They got muddy and fresh grass stains adorned their clothes like badges of honor. When the dreaded bell rang I met up with Sam and gave him a "high-five." "You played some serious ball out there," I said. He beamed up at me and hugged my leg. "THAT was a great day!"

I love the simplicity of children! Notice Sam did not say, "That was a great recess." To him, his 20 minutes of being included in play and playing hard made his entire day great! His comment has helped me all week to take notice of the "little" things and be grateful. My brother came to visit this week. My sister-in-law sent me an encouraging email. The new recipe I tried for bean soup with bacon turned out just fine. My husband is madly in love with me. God loves me....It's a great day.