The skies rumbled as I walked into the mall, and I had a feeling the clouds would be weeping by the time my tasks were completed.
I was right. It was a warm, steady rain, and if it weren't for the frequent claps of thunder - which meant lightning wasn't far off - it would have been tempting to just stroll among the rain drops.
A summer shower is an amazing thing, if you slow down enough to pay attention to it. A summer rain shower engages all five senses in a marvelous way.
You have the sound of the thunder as the storm approaches, the sight of lightning flashes if it's a thunderstorm, the smell of the coming rain, air so humid you can reach out and touch it.
A summer shower is an orchestra of sounds. Pick up the distinction between rain drops hitting tree leaves, or bark, or bare ground or cement There's a ping, a pock, a thud, a slap. Steady rain on hard surfaces sounds like applause, as if the crops and lawns and landscaping are thrilled to be receiving moisture.
A rain is nature's way of washing the landscape's face, leaving behind a freshness - almost a newness. Plants are invigorated, colors revived, spirits cleansed.....it never gets old.
When I hear the elderly talk about things they miss when they've been in nursing homes a while, a summer shower is often on their list.
A couple of times in the past few weeks I've spotted people sitting on their covered porches during summer showers --- just watching and listening.
How I envied them.
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