Memories of Rain

Christmas time overwhelms me with memories. There is something about it that causes me to think about all the Christmases past and all kinds of other memories. This morning I was thinking about one of my favorite mothering moments.

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.