Rain

I woke up this morning and proceeded with my daily routine which is to pour a mug of coffee and go outside on the balcony to have a cigarette. Not much ever happens before that and today was no exception.

When I opened the sliding door, I was met by a burst of fresh air and the sound of rain beating down on the leaves of the trees and the roof of my house. This made me so happy. We haven't had any rain since the beginning of June, I believe, and I missed it so.

When it rains, everything is cleansed. It washes away all the dust and dirt which builds up on those hot Summer days. Not that we get really hot days but we do get a lot of dust from the road nearby. It saturates the dry plants and soil, bringing with it a burst of new life. After the rain is finished, the sparrows are always so active; playing and having fun in the freshness of it all.

The smell is fantastic and I sat there for a moment, before lighting my cigarette, to savour the aroma of the pouring rain. There is something about that smell which brings back memories of when I was a kid, roaming around in the forest after a rainfall; all of the trees still dripping and a dampness which is not uncomfortable, but rather welcoming. My pants would be wet from the low lying bushes as I traipsed through the woods, but it was Summertime and warm so I was never concerned.

The sound is another thing which diggs up old memories. When I was young, we lived in an old farm house and my bedroom was on the top floor. It had slanted ceilings on either side to account for the slope of the roof. The house was old and not well insulated and when it would rain, I mean really rain, I would lie in bed - wrapped warm in my blankets - and just listen to the sound as the drops beat their rhythm on the rooftop overhead. To me it was the most comforting sound and on those nights I would sleep very well.

To sum this up, today I am thankful for the rain and I am glad that I live in an area of the world which doesn't have to worry too much about the lack of liquid sunshine. It is a blessing which I cherish. I have friends in different parts of the world which are suffering droughts. My wish for them is that their rain come soon, to quench their thirst.