[Note: I wrote this post two years ago (August, 2010) for my previous blog. (SHOUT-OUT TO MY MOMMA GOOSE FANS!!) While it's still one of my favorite posts, I now have a new perspective on it, which I'll share in a future post.]
[PS: "Punga" is the way I used to refer to my son on my previous blog. Not sure what I'm going to do on this blog, so let's stick with "Punga" for now.]
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This summer, I’ve made a conscientious effort to mindfully appreciate all of the beauty that is a summer rain storm. And there’s no better way to appreciate it than to drench yourself in it.
Most recently, the gray skies came quickly, and I grabbed my boy so that he, too, could soak in this experience which is, like the rain, at once grounding and heavenly.
Today is my favorite day.
We ran in circles with our arms spread like the wings of airplanes. I did cartwheels around my boy, and I laughed at his laughter as he balanced himself in the grass, giddy and almost naked, except for a sagging diaper and tiny blue sandals. Betwixt and between the cartwheels, mud oozed through my toes and fingers, tickling my skin, and Punga signed “more, more,” tickling my heart.
Today is my favorite day.
As if to applaud our decision to play in the rain, the universe threw us a frog to chase and the mosquitoes, miraculously, stayed away. We danced in a puddle, splashing nutritious brown water on our legs. Punga fell on his bum, his diaper soaking up puddle, yet he remained focused on the chorus of raindrops casting perfect ripples on his pool of rain water. We threw mulch in the puddle and marveled at how it floated.
Today is my favorite day.
When the lightning came, I grabbed my boy and our shoes, and we ran inside, where the air conditioning chilled our wet skin to that level of cold that is too cold for winter but is just right for summer. My buddy and I watched the lightning flashes through the window as our breath made fleeting circles on the glass, and he muttered wise, adorable nonsense in my ear. It sounded like he closed with, “Thanks.”
Today is my favorite day.
Soon the entertainment value of a nearby diaper box trumped that of the rain storm for Punga, so he turned towards new adventures. I smiled, watching him, replaying in my mind the 45 seconds he let me cuddle him in front of the window.
My cup of thankfulness is spilling over. I’m thankful for my boy, thankful for the rain, thankful for everything that has come together to allow us to enjoy it.
Today is my favorite day.
[I decided to do a ”Today is My Favorite Day” blog category after I read this post by Kelle Hampton.]
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