This phrase came up today as my husband told me his truck's fuel injection missing is only noticeable "when it rains". I started thinking about that idea and realized how many things are true with that observation. For instance, my arthritis only bothers me "when it rains". I hurt days prior to rain and all during it, surviving only by the grace of ibuprofen and acetaminophen. I'm a human barometer. The tv satellite and internet connection fail "when it rains" much to our frustration. A nap anytime is a welcome thing whenever I can afford the time, but "when it rains" I somehow make the time because nothing is more deeply satisfying during a rainy day than a long, coma-like nap. My artist friend, Dennis O'Bryant, claims his most creative days are "when it rains" and that makes perfect sense as a mood permeates the day that is virtually indescribable. I also grow more creative choosing mostly to write during those days "when it rains" because the rain sometimes makes my emotions run amok; reflective, depressed, sad, whimsical, childlike, joyful, and full of wonder. It all depends. It's hard to predict. Like today, it is raining and I'm feeling a little down.
Back to the reason that started this train of thought..why, you may ask, was my husband telling me about his truck? Well, my brakes needed work and he followed me in to drop off my car. As soon as we were five miles away I realized my phone was still in my car and I was in a panic to return for it. Why, you may ask. Because my whole world is on that phone; calendar, phone numbers, internet, but photos are critical. He wondered why I became almost instantly teary-eyed as I said that we had to turn around and go back. Surely I could make it a few hours without my beloved Android phone. Nope...have to turn around because there was a photo of my mother on it taken three hours before she died (two years ago). He didn't hesitate. We'd only been gone 10 minutes when I walked back into the dealership only to find my car not there. Their explanation was that they had it out on a test drive to determine what was going wrong with my brakes. I waited for ten more minutes until he pulled in. I didn't buy his story as the last time I'd left it there I suspected they used my car for quick errands to pick up lunch due to evidence in my cup holder and a distinct reduction in gas. When I questioned my husband he said they didn't have to drive it to determine the condition of the brakes. Again, I went teary-eyed as the life reality of being taken advantage of because of being a woman washed over me. Yes, it was raining and I was emotional because when it rains...it pours. I really think the rain made me hyper-emotional.
But here's the deal. Rainbows only happen "when it rains". A rainbow is a promise of a better tomorrow. It is a sign of hope. It makes you look and smile. Nothing causes so many people to stop and exclaim, "Look! A rainbow!" It is visible color coming from refracted light through the prism of water droplets. That may not be the perfect scientific explanation, but it's the best memory I have. If there was ever a reason to be happy for the rain, I'd say this might just be at the top of the list. We need to know that there will be a lift to the down side, a rise in the occasion, a way up from the tears that fall like rain. The achy joints will get some time off, television will still be there and creativity can continue from other inspirations. Clouds may be gray and heavy, but only "when it rains" will a rainbow remind us that joy will return.
Photo by Claudia Lowery ~ All rights reserved
