Rain

I think I appreciate the rain more than your average being, almost as much as ducks. It has been raining a lot here in Wichita bringing the summer to a screeching halt. This is the first time I am living in a place where fall is not in December and the leaves actually go through their entire color spectrum. Rather than being green and full one month and  brown, broken and on the ground the next, they are bright yellow and orange reaching to heights that seem to fade into the sun.  It is really cool. 

Last night before bed, this vivid memory jumped into my head like the first popcorn kernel popping, other things are going on and all of a sudden, there it is. The image was of my cousins Beth and Katie and I playing in the rain with our moms. It always seemed to happen in the fall where the rain would keep the Florida heat at bay, just a little. I remember living on Post Street and as soon as the clouds began to rumble, we began our rain dances hoping the afternoon would never end. Barefoot on the steaming sidewalk, the rain seemed to stop time. I don't remember cars passing. I just see these three brown little girls twirling and running, soaked from the Heavens opening. 

I think what also makes this memory so vivid is that my mom and aunt played with us. Here we are, eight years old and younger, with our mothers having just as much fun. The reality of bills and work left our minds. It was like life wrapped us in a warm blanket and cradled us while we fell asleep to dream of a carefree existence.

It is amazing what triggers things in your memory. This is probably one of my favorites!