Late one night after all the kids were in bed and asleep it started to rain and I don’t mean just a sprinkle. Water poured down in great streams. I watched through the window for a few minutes as I started to get ready for bed. Light coming from the street lamp on the corner shined magically through the cascading rain and reflected in the large puddles forming on the lawn.
Suddenly, without giving it much thought, I woke up the children and marched them out into the rain. In our pajamas, we lifted our faces to accept the water's caress. We opened our mouths and drank in the heavenly water. We danced, we ran in circles, we splashed, we played airplanes, we laughed, we sang, we joined hands and played ring-around-the-rosies, falling into the puddles and feeling the tickle of wet grass against our cheeks.
Hearing the laughter Carl joined us and we played until everyone was soaked to the skin. Then we went inside, changed into dry pajamas, blew hair dry, and drank hot chocolate while still giggling. It was way past bed time and that wasn't the only family rule broken, but none of that really mattered. I can't remember if we were on time for scripture study the next morning or even on time for school. I don't remember any burden from washing all those pajamas and towels. All I remember is the love and joy I felt for my children and for my Heavenly Father as we danced in the rain.
Looking back on my days of mothering, the only regret I now have is that I worried too much about things such as bed time and laundry. I wish I had spent more time dancing in the rain.
Posts
3 comments:
i LOVE this story! what a great memory! thanks for the reminder! :)
Thanks Sherrie. I needed this today...this week...this year! It is so easy to get caught up in the things that "have to" be done, that I forget to enjoy my family more. Thank you!
I wonder if this is part of the grandma wisdom we get when our families are grown. I have felt the same way so many times that I've already cautioned my girls to be sure to take that time with their children every chance they get. There are so many ways to "dance in the rain" that create such powerful memories of love and happiness, that the burden to make them happen or clean them up are completely forgotten. I, too, only regret not doing it more often. One of the joys of being a grandma is now I can do those things all the time. It's part of grandma magic that children need and love. Thank you for telling your experience, I can just picture you with all those little girls, and hopefully your son was old enough too, and it just makes me smile. You paint beautiful pictures with your words. xoxoxo
Cathie
Post a Comment