I was recently asked what was my favorite way to spend a rainy day? My mind quickly looked back at the rainy day I experienced this week. I was in my office at work busy with the tasks of the day, but through the exit door nearby came that familiar scent of rain and wet dirt. I opened the door and saw the wet world on the other side. The water falling from the sky, the clouds covering the mountains, and a freshness that forced me to take in a deep breath, as if I could store in my lungs the smell of rain. Immediately my co-workers and I commented how we wish we could be at home enjoying the rain. Rainy days are not very common here in the Southwest where the sun shines freely, so rain was a welcome and needed change.
What is your favorite way to spend a rainy day?
Visions of being in bed curled with a good book and a hot drink are common with this question. And though I absolutely love spending moments like that when it’s raining, I can’t help but remember my favorite times in the rain.
One was in Michigan. We had recently made the move north from the panhandle of Texas and I was enjoying all the green around me that first spring. We hadn’t been living there very long when we got to experience a Michigan rain. The water drops were thick and heavy, and the soft ground made a great job at absorbing all that abundance of water. I couldn’t remember the last time I had experienced so much rain and the sight on the other side of the windows filled me with joy. I wanted to join in! And so I did.
I opened the door, removed my shoes, and went for a walk in the rain. The carpet of grass in my backyard felt fresh and soft beneath my bare feet. The water falling from the sky quickly made my face wet. The feeling was so amazing I had to jump and run. And I stayed there in my green backyard, the woods right on the other side of the fence. Submersed in nature I let it soak me until I was drenched. Drenched with rain and joy. It was amazing.
Then there was Alaska.
Fairbanks is considered the dry part of Alaska, which coming from the desert it’s difficult to comprehend. But apparently it gets less moisture than other parts of the state, so I get that. But we still got to experience days of beautiful rain, and my favorite has to be when we have moved to our little house in the woods. We were living in the middle of the forest. Moose, fox, and an abundance of birds were our friendly neighbors. The bears lived further down, a little shy to come up for a visit, which I was totally ok with.
Our little home had a covered porch that made for a cozy place to sit and enjoy the outside. Bird feeders had been placed on the sides, so we could sit and watch our feathery friends come for their meals. Flower boxes graced the front, feeding all kinds of little insects and butterflies. The trees surrounded us as if keeping guard of our little piece of land. On rainy days the porch provided a shelter where we could enjoy the day without getting wet.
And so I would sit there listening and watch the rain fall. My favorite times were when my son and dog would come out with me. My son and I would sit in the chairs next to each other, our dog laying on the ground, and we would take in the sights, smells, and sounds in front of us. The rain fell down softly and gently, with the rolling thunder often joining in in the display of nature. We would listen a few moments, talk a bit, and listen some more. Bonding moments with each other and with nature. If I close my eyes, I can still see us, in my mind, together on our porch, listening to the rain. Treasure.
There is something about rainy days that is so magical, so refreshing, and so rejuvenating.
So, what is your favorite way to spend a rainy day?
