And the Rain Came

Today I was reminded of the David Shannon book, The Rain Came Down. All weekend I waited for the rain and today it finally came.

There was a time I didn't like rain much. I suppose I associated it with grey and gloominess. When you're a kid it means you can't play outside. But as I have gotten older, I really enjoy a good dousing. Here are some of the reasons why...

1. When my son was a baby, he napped so well when it rained. During the summer, I was often able to time his afternoon nap just right so when the afternoon storm rolled in he would sleep a little longer. The house would get cool and dark, and he would snuggle in tight for a good dose of z's.

2. My cousin once referred to it as "baby-making weather." That of course translates to get in bed with your partner weather. As lifeguards in college, my husband and I often enjoyed afternoon interludes when a lightning storm had us shutting down the pool early.

3. As I've grown to appreciate all the beauty of natural Florida, I've learned how important and nourishing the summer rain pattern is. So much of the wildlife, plant and animal, is dependent on these daily showers for sustenance. The rich, luscious greens of summertime are characteristic of a healthy rainy season.

4. Rain makes my husband happy. He's a water manager, and when the rain fills his lakes, managing water is a much more manageable job! He has radar apps and reports constantly buzzing and beeping on his phone, and he tracks weather every day. When the water table is low, he's rain dancing away.

5.  There's no laser light show better than a nighttime lightning storm. It can get scary sometimes, but it can be spectacular. For the record, I enjoy them from the comfort of my home, watching out the window. I'm not one of those storm chasers.

6. There are lots of good songs about rain. Among them are Fool in the Rain by Led Zepplin, It's Raining Again by Supertramp,  Purple Rain by Prince,  Rainy Days and Mondays by the Carpenters, Rain by Madonna, Here Comes the Rain Again by the Eurythmics. There's a silly country song from a few years ago by Luke Bryan, Rain is a Good Thing. And Luke, I agree.