The rain playfully recoiled off my shoulders, the less exuberant drops trailed down my hair, rivulets that traced the curve of my jaw. I hadn’t had the pleasure of finding many rain storms like this, the water fell gently, and the temperature was just right. I stepped forward, not far away there was a gazebo, I didn’t want protection from this downpour, but I yearned to hear the sound of the falling water upon its shimmering strength, the soft pitter patter of rain had long since dulled my ears to anything more.
The sky was a pleasant gray, it made it difficult to determine the time of day, to my left and right I could see where my property faded into the forest, but not without first crossing a hedge of some of the most vibrant red rose bushes I had ever had the pleasure of laying my eyes on. Love was the secret ingredient, love and bone meal, and nearly constant attention. The red of these roses shone a deep red that echoed despite the dim haze of gray from the falling rain. Even more numbing than the red, how it stood out, is the smell, fresh from the rain the flowers ate up each drop and returned their scent to the air multiplied a hundred fold, brilliant and sweet, intoxicating and lovely.
It was in this state of sublime intoxication that I saw a shadow in the distance, the water pressed my shirt to my chest, my arms flexed on instinct and she approached. I had been yearning to share this most precious moment with her, and like an angel she came when summoned. There is a feeling of one soul touching another; the knowledge that no matter where she was she would know me and feel what I felt was magnified in that instant.
I turned to examine the sky, the horizon that blended with gray as the clouds drifted into the trees in the higher peaks, like cotton scraped across sand paper the clouds left behind little reminders of it’s slow passing. I smiled, the smell of distant wood smoke suddenly combined subtly with the smell of roses, and with me thusly absorbed she appeared, her hands on my shoulders, her hair sticking to her face as our eyes met. Vibrant intelligence shone back at me, such that the thought of seeing my reflection in those peaceful pools disappeared and I was satisfied with everything life had given me.
My hand in hers, the water streaming down her porcelain skin meeting rivulets from off me, as our skin touched, focusing on just the feeling of her hand in mine, then the slow pull and quirky smile that teases my eyes to her lips, then leaning forward our lips touch, her breath is warm, her lips are soft, her hands hold me closer as the rain streams down around us. Eternity sings and the rain stops, looking left and right to break the moment is unnecessary as there was a time without a doubt when the drops shimmered all around us.
I love the rain, the way it feels as it flows around me, the feeling of being alive that I get from every drop. What’s your favorite weather? Do you have any favorite experience in that weather that you can share?
August 7th, 2008 at 4:33 am
Water is my salvation. I was a mermaid in a past life, I am sure of it. I love the way water makes my skin feel, my hair float, the weightlessness, the purity. Rain, ocean, lake, pond, tub, shower, pool. If it’s water, I want it, I crave it, I need it.
August 7th, 2008 at 8:56 am
I’m never happier than I am when there is a thunderstorm. There something about it that makes me feel a sense of peace that is hard to obtain at any other time. It’s odd…nature sounds so angry and there I am smiling and calm. I also love the way it feels right before a huge downpour. The skies are gray and heavy and there’s just something in the air that I love. And of course I love the rain.
One of my favorite memories of the rain happened my senior year of high school. Me and three other friends decided to skip school for the day. On our way out to the parking lot, it started raining. We all got soaked and decided to go to a local park that had a nature trail winding through the woods. We took the trail for a while but eventually decided to explore off of it. If I remember correctly we got completely lost but were having so much fun we didn’t care. I still remember how the rain sounded hitting the leaves, the way my best friend’s arm felt around my shoulders and the way my heart skipped a beat when I looked at this boy I’d known since I was six years old and realized how much I loved him.
August 7th, 2008 at 9:08 am
I love the rain in the summer, especially while walking on the beach. Ahhh! Just the thought makes life seem calmer.
Melissa
August 7th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Claudia, I feel the same way about water, in every imagination where I have super powers the only ones (other than fly) are ice and water, when I go to my “happy place’ there’s water there, a lot. I love your passion about the subject.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Eyisila, you’re words make me think of standing in the rain, just being soaking wet and not caring a bit. What a wonderful rain memory.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Melissa, I want that badly, I could go for that. I’ve heard winter in Hawaii has a lot of rain, and it’s warm. I’m going to have to see about testing that out.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Sorry Claudious I hate the rain. I’ve had more than my water tank full this winter and can’t wait for it to stop. I’m looking out at more rain pooling outside the house - agggggh!
And, it’s going to snow this weekend. Now come to think of it that I can live with!
If there is rain to love it’s that cartoon rain that appears out of nowhere follows you around, drenches you and then disappears as quickly as it came. My funniest story about this was a holiday in the south west of Ireland out on the Dingle pennisular. It was a beautifully sunny morning and we had just checked out of our hotel. A quick stroll before we head off for a days driving - perfect. Then the cartoon rain came. I jest not, I was soaked to my bones. Arriving back at the hotel they looked at us with amusement and kindly let us recheck back into the room to clean up and dry off.
Come to think of it, I get cartoon rained on all the time here in New Zealand. Something to do with the extreme micro climates we have. My answer to it all is to always carry a sowester to keep me dry! No point in having umbrellas in windy Wellington.
Really enjoying you site. JT
August 7th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
“such that the thought of seeing my reflection in those peaceful pools disappeared and I was satisfied with everything life had given me.” ~ This is my favorite part of this post…beautiful.
I love the rain…and have never passed up the chance to get out and play in it. One of my favorite memories of the rain, was when a girlfriend and I broke into our apt pool at night and floated it in while it was raining…it was so peaceful.
Great post…thanks for sharing.
August 10th, 2008 at 7:05 am
“I had been yearning to share this most precious moment with her, and like an angel she came when summoned. There is a feeling of one soul touching another; the knowledge that no matter where she was she would know me and feel what I felt was magnified in that instant.”
- Sigh. - Claudious, you’re absolutely magnificent. That is my favorite line out of the entire thing. It’s so pure and dripping with passion. You have a great way with words.
My favorite type of weather has always been the rain. I love how tranquil and peaceful it is when it rains not to mention all the lively smells it brings out is absolutely intoxicating. I love being out in the rain, the way the droplets feel against my skin, how my hair clings to my neck and jaw. Amazing experience and feeling, I could think of none better.
August 10th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Julie, I understand you’ve had more than enough rain over the winter there, I bet you are ready for some nice clear weather. Thank you for sharing your story, I’ve heard about that cartoon rain, and with the temperature that it comes in from that area, maybe that’d give good cause to not enjoy it. I’m glad you are enjoying the site.
August 10th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Harmony, where I grew up they had a hot spring swimming pool and the hot pool was outside where in the evening late in the summer you could almost guarantee a rain fall, it was increadible, never fully drenching but it creates a sensation that is really hard to match. And one of my biggest pushers for someday getting a hot tub.
August 10th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Jess, I’m so glad you like this story, I’m glad that I’m not the only one who gets swept away by the magic of a nice steady rain. Last year my family and I went to the rose festival in Portland and it rained like the sky was falling, I got totally soaked and it felt amazing. I only wish the children appreciated the rain as much.
August 29th, 2008 at 5:55 am
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm rain… kisses… soaked… pitter patter…