In Southern California, rain is rare. So when the water falls from the sky, it is something that catches your attention. Growing up, it was exciting when it rained. It meant we had recess inside, Heads Up Seven Up and drawing on the chalkboard. In college it was an excuse to sleep in and skip class. And when I was working in an office, it made my commute longer but the sound of the drops pinging on the roof of my car somehow made that OK.
As a parent, rain can be a pain the butt. Kids want to go outside and run around. My park plans with Madeline were ruined a few times thanks to downpours. At the time, I really lamented that we didn’t get to spend the day sliding, swinging, and digging in the sand. I was annoyed we didn’t get the fresh air we both needed, irritated that our plans had to change.
Yesterday had a load of errands to run, but I was blindsided by rain. It definitely wasn’t baby-appropriate weather. I was annoyed, irritated that my plans had to change. I stood in the nursery and looked out the window at the drops crashing to earth.
And then, I realized something:
It rained the day of my wedding.
It rained the day Annabel was born.
My marriage and Annabel’s birth were rainbows on what would have been otherwise gloomy days.
The days that Maddie and I were to go to the park weren’t wasted. We snuggled under blankets, played games, and bounced on my bed. Wonderful things we wouldn’t have done if it was dry outside.
Yesterday, instead of going to the DMV, picking up dry cleaning, and buying ribbon, Annie and I curled up on the couch, practiced standing, and smiled until our faces hurt. Wonderful things we wouldn’t have done if it was dry outside.
There aren’t always bright sides to days where nothing goes the way you planned. I definitely tend to dwell on the inconveniences. But every now and then, when that rainbow peeks through, I’m happy that it rained.
{ 81 comments… read them below or add one }
Hooray for rainbows! Beautiful post, Heather. Love & hugs to you…
.-= Kate @ UpsideBackwards´s last blog ..All better =-.
Beautiful… glad you had such a sweet day with Annie. xoxo
Hi Heather,
What a great description of “sunshine on a rainy day” and just another reason why I admire you just so much – you are always so positive and see the best in difficult situations – I’m learning from you to do the same! It sounds like you and Maddie had fun days when you couldn’t go out due to the weather – just as you and Annie did yesterday. I am so used to the rain and have always lived in rainy places. We are only just now managing to get outside every day and my little one is loving it after being indoors for so long.
Sending you all much love from afar
Erica
Beautiful post, Heather. Thank you.
.-= Summer´s last blog ..Early =-.
When I was in college I liked to use rain as an excuse to sleep in and skip class as well…. the only problem was that I went to the University of Washington in Seattle.
this is a beautiful post, and i certainly don’t want to take away from what you’ve written.
…
But, what is the big deal with rain? Do you really have recess indoors in Cali when it rains? The only time i think i ever got recess indoors was when it was -38 degrees and the frostbite risk was rated “immediate”.
Also, i really hope you’ll take the chance to take annie outside when she’s a bit older to jump in puddles while its still raining – no raincoats and no umbrellas, just embracing the wetness – its one of the great life experiences! (bonus points for being just in rainboots and underwear).
Oh wow. This reply brought back one time, when the rain had stopped and I was about 7-10 (sorry can’t remember exactly) in Florida and my mum started jumping in puddles. I was so excited for ONE DAY she was not worried about parasites et. It was a blast.
Thanks for a great reminder that we can always find something good, even if things don’t go our way. I remember sobbing the morning of my wedding, because it wasn’t raining, it was POURING. When my oldest two children were born, it rained too and it became something really special instead.
I dislike rain, but I will remember your post the next time I’m stuck inside, glaring out at the storm.
.-= Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..Things to do with your teen =-.
I was 12 when I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Juvuvinal Athritis and to my utter surprise the old wives tell your grandma tells you she can tell when it was going to rain. I still can. My husband & friends tease I’m the “Weather Girl” and I would ALWAYS be asked if it was going to rain….especially when mu hubby would fly some small aircraft as a hobbie.
When I became REALLY sick when I was 33 and my ability to sense the rain became even more sensitive as now, I could also tell when the baramectric pressure changed.
At times, I hate the rain b/c it hurts me but others…like you, I love it…especially a great thunder storm at night.
The rain…it’s an ordinary Miracle…makes the flower grows and now, brings my friend Heather and other joy…..Now how could I possibily HATE that!!??!?!?!
Growing up in the UK, even in Eastbourne where it was supposed to be the sunniest place in the country (really?!), we had endless wet play times. However, come rain or shine, we were walked out every day when we were little. Mum would say ‘That is what welly boots and umbrellas were invented for’. It would have have to be absolutely torrential before we could stay indoors for the day. But joy of joys, we had a ‘rainy day’ box, full of goodies that wouldn’t come out unless it was piddling it down. Arts and crafts that my brother and I loved to do, new board games (still love them to this day, give me Monopoly and I am a happy woman), packs of cards, dominoes, colouring books, book-books, and later on, videos.
It was a treat, a proper treat, to get this box out the cupboard, and I know that my mum took great delight in keeping it stocked chock-full of goodies.
As I got older and taught swimming for a living, we grew to dread wet days, as the kids were literally fizzing with energy if they had been cooped up all day instead of being able to run it off. They would bounce up and down, just happy to be able to do something physical at last. While their parents would sit there with embarrassed smiles on their faces as their little darling wreaked havoc, ‘S/he’s not mine. Not today.’ Those days were long days, filled with the horror of keeping 8-10 children constantly entertained and moving for half an hour, then the clock would move round, another lot would get in and you’d start all over again. I’d often have to go for a swim at the end of the day, so I could move the knots out of my shoulders. Having a good, fun, lesson plan up your sleeve for rainy days is a God-send, and I recommend all parents to have a rainy day plan to be wheeled out at a moments notice too.
Living in Melbourne now, we celebrate every single drop of rain, cherish and record what our water levels are at in resevoirs (about 30% full FYI) and some parts of Oz are bone dry. We are encouraged to have 4 minute showers to save water, can only water our gardens once or twice a week and most cars drive about with tide marks on them, proudly transporting their water saving owners.
I know when I have children I will do a mixture of everything: watch the droplets roll down the windows; take them out to charge through puddles and splosh about; snuggle up with a good film; read and enjoy the day.
Sounds like a perfect day to me!
.-= Maddie´s last blog ..A year ago today =-.
“That is what welly boots and umbrellas were invented for.” I love that perspective. If only there were welly boots and umbrellas for real life.
Or maybe it’s what we manage to find in moments like these
Rain is my favorite. Living in South Florida for 20 year it became a daily summer tradition to dance in the rain. I always figured that I could hate it or embrace it. When I gave birth to my first daughter, we named her Rainey. Everyone thought we were crazy. She soon grew in to her name and people loved it. She has always been called “rainbow”, a name that fits her to a tee. She was born 2 weeks before my favorite person “Papa” passed away. She was everyone Rainbow. She smiled at me through all of my pregnancy losses and filled my sorrow with hope. Her heart is golden! I can even say that as she is nearing 15.
Rainy days are always follows by Rainbows. I am so glad you have your Rainbow days. I have made it a mission to find all the songs about Rainbows since Rain has been born. Kermit was right, there are a lot! Listen to Colbie Calliats new one called “Rainbow”, I think you will like it!
Have a great day. It’s raining here!
Oh as a side note, we had our March for Babies this week. Ella, my preemie, made a Big purple memorial flower for Maddie. As Ella was writing the flower we had a few people ask if the was for “the Maddie from the blogs”. I just thought you might want to know that people everywhere recognize, love and miss Maddie! I am now living in Nashville (where it hardly ever rains) and we had 6000 people out at the walk! Nashville raised over $600,000 on Sunday!
Of all the blog I read, this is the best post I have read. Beautiful, beautiful.
beautiful perspective. thank you.
This is beautiful.
Except, you know, I lived in Seattle for 7 years, and if I canceled plans every time it rained, I never would’ve gotten anything done. I learned quickly to just slap a waterproof hat on the baby and/or pull up the hood over her car seat, and go. Heh.
.-= cindy w´s last blog ..My Patella-ella-ella =-.
Totally agree – where we live it routinely rains 8 or 10 days in a row in the middle of July. And the spring time is like waterworld. Before the 2 feet of snow completely melts away the spring rains start making for a very muddy squishy outside. We’re only really bummed about the rain when we have swimming plans because even if there’s no lightning it cools the water down too much to swim in.
When it’s raining on an otherwise perfect day, I just think about how it’s so much better than 20 degrees and a foot of snow falling out of the sky.
I love the rain, I like the grey sky that says practically scream to Keelyn and I to take a nap. I also love the puddles that she finds such joy in splashing in.
.-= charlane´s last blog ..Cake at Rest & Play =-.
Glad you soaked up the snuggles.
Well said and so true.
.-= Jill´s last blog ..Focus on what you have 4/17/10 =-.
you know they say if it rains on your wedding day your gonna have a successful, and rich marriage!
I’m glad you found the sunny parts of the days inside with your girls!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..monday…already!? =-.
Beautifully said. I love to take a nap when it rains. Wish I got more of those.
Glad you got to spend some sweet time with Annabel.
.-= Christy´s last blog ..One Moment More =-.
i like this one a lot!!! well done. :]
.-= c.c.´s last blog ..something blue =-.
Sometimes I love the rain for exactly that reason: you all get to huddle indoors. During the spring and summer, we do so much outside that the house gets neglected, and it’s bath night every night (which is hard on a momma when you’re flying solo at night). So when it’s raining outside, it’s nice to play a board game, or have movie night, and maybe get that extra load of laundry done.
.-= red pen mama´s last blog ..Tanks So Much =-.
loved it! thanks for the making us all stop and see all the good things that happen even when all we want to do is dwell on the bad (I’m a horrible pessimist.. lol)
I love the rain, but only if it’s a good rain a big downpour and the way the ground smells so new and fresh afterwards.
Or as they say in Belgium: Every thundercloud has a silver lining…
.-= Catherine Lucas´s last blog ..Emptying the lake at Studley Royal-Fountains Abbey =-.
beautiful post.
I love this post. I, too, tend to dwell on the fact I’m not getting something done or what we didn’t get to do. It is nice to be reminded of what we do get on those days. Quiet, fun, loving moments that we wouldn’t have otherwise had.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Navigating the Grocery Store =-.
Ahhhh sweet beautiful Heather. I think you just taught us ALL a very important lesson. God bless. Hugs from Omaha.
Some of the best days are spent snuggling on the couch listening to the rain drops fall. Glad you had the intuition to take advantage and spend that time with Annie.
XOXO from GA,
Nikki
A day well spent my friend!!
(((HUGS))) from Florida
Thank you for starting my day with such an inspirational post. I don’t think there’s any rain coming to Albuquerque today (though around here, who knows?)
We are getting ready for a 2 week trip to the east coast though, so it’s good that I make my peace with rain now!
.-= Lamb´s last blog ..Woot, Woot! Party at the 2010 HGTV Green Home! =-.
Such a wonderful post. I had some good college friends in town a week or so ago, and we were all a little disappointed when Florida followed up two gorgeous days with some rainy ones. But we played games and watched movies and made margaritas and laughed and caught up. How can you really complain about that?
So happy that you and Annie had fun on a rainy day!!!
Although I am annoyed by rain because it ruins my plans sometimes…. I love a rainy day to use an excuse to stay in my jammies and play with the babies.
Annabel probably doesn’t mind the rain at all.
.-= Diane´s last blog ..Yes sir! That’s my baby. =-.
I love rainy days too -
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..I would be lying if I said that I never think of drinking. =-.
It has rained on some of the most important days of my life: the very first day my husband and I kissed (obviously before he was my husband, lol), our first vacation together, our rehearsal dinner, the day we married, my 28th (and so far most FUN) birthday, the day of his going away party before he left for army training for 5 months of our first year of marriage, and SO many more times. It’s an inside joke amongst our familiy and close friends that if we have something special planned, it WILL rain. So glad the rain is a good omen for you too
)
.-= Lessons in Life and Light´s last blog ..At the Park =-.
I love that you smiled at each other until your faces hurt! Awww!!
And the rain makes everything clean again, too. Where I live, it is anxiety-producing when it doesn’t rain. But then again, I live in sort of a rain forest and it is only too apparent how much we need it for our trees, our green, our cooling peace of mind.
.-= Ms. Moon´s last blog ..Growing =-.
Glad you found the silver lining in your day! We live in Chilliwack BC Canada – a medium size farming community outside of Vancouver. It rains here all. The. Time. In fact, the Fraser Valley (the area we’re in and surrounding) is known for it’s rain. It makes for lush greens and all but it can be tiring. All our kids own rain gear and we have learned to be speedy when the drops are falling. I grew up here but during my early 20′s moved to another part of our province that sees less than half the amount of rain, and is known for it’s uber hot summers. Which is where I met my husband. That’s where he grew up and loves it there. Living here has been an adjustment to him and something always stands out about rain. It’s a comment he made shortly after we moved here. You see being that the farming we do is 80% dairy cows, the air is rather….fresh here. Down right stinky in fact (out other reputation, people from all over BC ask if we still notice the aroma, or if cow poo smells like home. To which I ask, “Does your home smell like a bag of crap? Because mine doesn’t.”) I digress….anyways one day after 4 days of solid rain, my husband turned to me and said, ” You know, it’s not so bad here. It only stinks when it’s not raining.”
Ahh yes, a silver lining indeed.
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..Where Peace lives… =-.
I’m from the Vancouver area too! Boy, it sure does rain. But I moved away to Ontario, and I have to say, I miss the rain and how green and lush everything is! Still, I dream of living in California some day, and living a rain-free life!
Great post, btw.
Having suffered through some very hard things in my life,too, Heather,,,,,I try to keep this saying in mind………………
“Life’s not about waiting for the storms to pass… it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
Simply beautiful. I love the rain, the way it sounds on our room, I look at it as it hits our skylight and rolls down the glass. I can picture you and Annie playing inside while it rained outside. Thank you for your post, it made my day brighter…and it’s also raining here in Seattle too!
Was your wedding dress Grace by Maggie Sottero? That was my wedding dress too! I simply loved it! So glad you were able to enjoy your day indoors!
.-= Adara´s last blog ..I think we’ll take in Eight with Cake! =-.
It is so impressive to me that you’re able to see through a bad mood or a downer day like that. I’m one of those people who lets her moods take over, and I really want to be more like you. I think that will be my goal this year: Cultivate Heather-like mental toughness.
Seriously, way to look for the rainbows in life.
.-= HalynB´s last blog ..Four Years And Counting =-.
I love the rain. I love it so much my husband says I should live in Seattle or someplace like that, instead of sunny southern CA. But I think if I lived in a place where it rained all the time, I wouldn’t love it so much. My kids love to go out in the rain. I let them. I just put a bunch of beach towels on the floor so that when they come in all the mud and wetness goes onto the towels instead of my carpet
.-= Katrina´s last blog ..What’s He Saying? (a quiz for you!) =-.
Omg, Heads up 7 up! Best game ever.
I agree…when it rains in So. Cal, it is best to stay in the house…traffic will kill you. And who doesn’t want to cuddle with a gorgeous baby like Miss Annie?
.-= rachel´s last blog ..Please Don’t Judge Me That I’m Not So Positive Right Now! =-.
I married into a family from Southern Cal but we live in Alaska so it was neat to read your perspective on rain. We hit -50 this year and I must admit we didn’t go any where near the outside but we do if it’s above -40. The kids play outside until it’s -20. I remember one of my kids wouldn’t keep her shoes on as a toddler in the car during the summer but that quickly changed once winter set in.
Thanks for always sharing your stories with the known people from the internet. I like all the pictures too.
Heather, what a beautiful way to see things. I too don’t like doing errands in the rain, and when I get stuck in the house I totally enjoy the snuggling/ cuddling… playing games and having a sunshine-y day! Here’s too more sunshine-y days for you, Mike and Annabel (and Rigby too)
Thanks for reminding us to look for the rainbows on the gray, rainy days.
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Our Visit to the Carolina Tiger Rescue =-.
Awesome post today Heather. I needed that.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..PROJECTS. =-.
What a beautiful post, Heather. I’m from the Midwest and LOVE rain. I live in Phoenix now and really covet the times when it rains.
Rainy days are my most favorite!
.-= Michelle Pixie´s last blog ..Babble From The Other Side {of the fence} =-.
I live in South Africa, and rain is obviously important here… in seTswana, one of our languages, there is the word “pule” (“poo-leh”) which means “rain” as well as “blessing”. Rainy days are blessings, rainy days are good luck. People pray for rain on weddings, on birthdays… rain is precious and brings life. It’s revered, in a way.
So it doesn’t surprise me that the rain has blessed you in so many ways.
I wish you many more.
((((HUGS)))))
It has rained every major event of my life. I always take it as a good sign. I was actually happy when it rained on my wedding day. Good thing it was inside.
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..The Owl has Landed. =-.
Heather – you are such a fantastic photographer! You captured those raindrops so beautifully. I’m wondering if you bought a couple of children’s magazines, such as “Ranger Rick” and “Your Big Backyard”, and sent samples of your photographs, perhaps they would hire you to take pictures for their magazines! Somewhere in those magazines, either the front or back flap of them, it gives information on where to send samples of your work.
That would be awesome! Here is to more rainbows for the Spohr family!
So beautifully said…we all need those reminders. Here’s to more rainbows!
.-= Mary´s last blog ..An Apple a Day =-.
I was born and raised…and am still…in Washington State. Near the Sound. So it rains a whole bunch here! It’s just tapering off to drizzle as I write this.
Around here we feel great that all the rain has made our area so green, but the days we finally get out and enjoy our lives, all our green and our families? The nice days! When the sunshine comes out in Washington, every single waterfront is full, the outdoor markets are packed, people are in great moods! We soak up EVERY single bit of it because we know it will go away soon.
So I do understand your feelings about rain…It’s a love hate relationship!
I always like to consider the rainbows, too – and realize that good does come out of something that is otherwise seen as dreary and dull. Glad you enjoyed your rainy day!
I have always secretly rejoiced on rainy days. It means I get to stay inside with my babies, and not feel guilty about it.
.-= Alexandra´s last blog ..First Love =-.
Beautiful post.
.-= Just Jiff´s last blog ..Five Question Friday. =-.
And I forgot to mention, that’s a very cool photo!
I’ve always thought that rain was good luck. Washing away the past and allowing the future to come in.
.-= Aunt Becky´s last blog ..If Living My Life On The Internet Wasn’t Bad Enough, This HAS To Be On My Permanent Record =-.
As they say…….there is a silver lining just over the horizon.
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..Happy Birthday Joey =-.
Faith….Hope….Love….Peace.
.-= mythoughtsonthat´s last blog ..I Laugh Nearly Every Day =-.
Oh Heather, you’d LOVE Seattle.
Ha, ha. Just kidding. Well, sort of. Being a SoCal native myself, I actually LOVE the rain. Which is why I moved here to Seattle last year, instead of staying in that dried up, no jobs, depressing, broke ass state I was born in.
That said, at least you have HAPPY memories on those rare rainy days. Yay for that.
.-= Cheryl´s last blog ..Easter Sunday 2010 =-.
Sounds like a lovely day.
We’re no strangers to rain here. Just put the baby sling on under the coat and carry an umbrella and life goes on
Oh Heather, I agree so much. Just remember – you can’t spell rainbow without rain. < 3
I had a close friend tell me to try to find a little miracle each day. It’s amazing how it does work.
Everyday, regardless of the weather, has the possibility to be wonderful! And its rained on every single important and special day of my life… except… my wedding day.
.-= Jen at Cabin Fever´s last blog ..You Know You’re From a Small Town When… =-.
I wish I could look on the bright side like you do. What a beautiful thing to do. And snuggling on the couch with your beautiful girl—that’s heaven. ;o)
Very well put, and something most of us forget all too often. And some days, I consciously choose NOT to see the rainbow because I want to feel shitty. Which probably makes me a bit insane, but whatever.
Love the rain, you can stay in and be lazy guilt free
.-= Megan´s last blog ..Bad man Ben Roethlisberger gets 6 games =-.
I loved heads up 7up!!!!!! Haha
Us SoCal people can’t handle being indoors alllll day due to the rain, LOL. So sad, I know, but so true!
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Happy Thursday! =-.
I have only recently discovered your blog, and so far I have not left crying. And yet, I’ve never left feeling depressed or unhappy in any way, either. You truly have a gift for seeing the (literal and figurative) silver linings, and reminding your readers of them, even after all you’ve been through in the last year. You are really a delight. : ) Thank you, for sharing your stories.
.-= Charlotte´s last blog ..Federally Funded Fun! =-.
I love ALL the results of rain… rainbows, the clean, fresh smell of the outdoors afterwards.
SOOO glad you and Annie got to spend the day together!
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..Even when they’re not here… =-.
I LOVE that you have chosen to take this perspective. I had to chuckle though. I just move to Norther Ca. 2 months ago. I’m from Northwestern Washington State. My cousin, whom I live with now, is from S. Ca. I took her daughter for a nice long rainy rainy rainy walk. She thought we were crazy. Rain doens’t ruin our days, we go DANCE in it! Of course, being from Wa. I DO know how to drive in the rain…. we get it a LOT!!
Annabel is the CUTEST thing! Just love her!!!
I grew up in Florida, where one thinks twice about going out in the rain, because unlesss it is a cheerful sunshower (light sprinkly rain while the sun still shines) it is likely to be a thunder & lightening storm which can kill you. Or, you know, a hurricane.
The same was largely true in NC, where I spent my teens and twenties and first round of parenting.
Than I moved to California, where my daughters schools don’t even have proper lunchrooms: students are expected to eat at picnic tables out of doors. (ooooh, that’s why kids in schools on TV always eat out of doors, I always wondered how come no school I went to had picnic tables). We laughed at people panicking over tiny light rainshowers–really, the reaction to rain here is almost as silly as the reaction to snow in the South East; and for the same reason, all those other people who don’t know how to drive in it. Still, I went out into it no more than to the car or then dash into shops. With no infant and car seat though, this was no biggie.
Then, we moved to England. And had a baby. And I couldn’t drive. And it rains, just as the stereotype says. People there just go about their business as if getting wet were NOTHING. My husband walked the 3/4 mile along the river path to work daily, rain, cold, sunshine, some days with our son in the baby carrier, covered with a special little rain cover. We had to provide rain coat and boots for his cubby at the creche (daycare) so they could take them out. As in, they take all the kids out, not in the rain maybe, but in the wet aftermath! Imagine!
Admittedly, most of the time, the rain is sprinkly nothingness, it’s rarely stormy, though sometimes it’s drizzly. It took me most of the 2 and a half years to get used to the idea of putting the raincover over the pushchair (stroller) and a raincoat and boots on me in order to do errands. To just go out into the rain. It never felt normal, and I’d put off errands or even just walking the baby, hoping for better weather later in the day, or the next day. And my husband laughed at me and my in-laws thought I was awfully fussy. (which means, American)
But now I’m back in CA, and back to having to dash in and out of the car. At least, I could dash if it weren’t for the whole getting the kid in and out of the car seat. Even though he’s big enough I don’t need to get the stroller set up, it’s still too much hassle, so, like you, I was stuck at home for a few days.
Ah yes, Heads Up 7 Up. SoCal schoolchildren, unite!
Beautiful perspective.