Beach Bits,  illos,  Moody Blues

rain

March 2, 2009 /

rain tasting

I promised her the beach. So we went in the late afternoon. Normally she would be napping but today was full of errands and she slept in the car on the way to the grocery store.

I tried to relax and watch the waves rush in and out. I tried to let my troubles go with them. But they were stubborn troubles and she kept interrupting me with requests for water and sand castles and what kind of shell is this again?

The water was cold so I wouldn’t take off my shoes. I refused to fetch her a pail of water. I regret that now. I should have taken off my shoes. Maybe the icy cold would have woken me up from my stupor. But I’m trying not to let her boss me around so much so I said no. And no, and no and no… on and on with the no’s. No means NO, I tell you!

And then it was time to go home and cook dinner. I let her walk up the stairs by herself, at her snails pace. I waited at the top with the stroller, trying to relax. One by one by one, she sang with each step. And then it rained on us. Not a thick torrential rain but just drops. Nothing that would melt us.

Then, finally, I relaxed.

It’s not the end of the world to be rained on.

18 Comments

  • Amanda

    March 2, 2009 at 9:57 pm

    I spend a lot of my time with Genoa fighting my natural urge to just give in and do whatever she demands. It’s so much easier than saying no all day. But that’s not what’s best for her.

    Hoping your troubles disappear soon!

  • Monica

    March 2, 2009 at 11:22 pm

    A lovely way to capture motherhood…

    I often vacillate between flexibility and boundaries: both are important. You get to have your way too sometimes, ya know. No bucket today might also mean greater ability to accept disappointment tomorrow. But yes indeedy, it’s can be lovely to be rained upon.

    I watched, stuggling to be patient, by 2.5 year old stand in the rain and revel in the drips falling on her head. She loved it. I loved it, but was distracted by my busyness. If we pay attention to them, they will make us pay attention to things like the rain!

  • BeachMama

    March 3, 2009 at 3:58 am

    Rain can be such a cleansing thing, so unwelcome some days and others it is like it washes all the troubles away with the sand. Hope tomorrow is a better day for you (well, today actually).

  • Elizabeth

    March 3, 2009 at 6:49 am

    when troubles creep in and refuse to leave i start counting my blessings and then life seems so full it is hard to focus on the troubles. i don’t want to pretend to know what you are going through. i hope tomorrow is a better day.

  • Mrs. Wilson

    March 3, 2009 at 7:24 am

    I guess yesterday was most definitely “funk” day! It’s not the end of the world to be rained on, but it’s also not the best on a day that’s already kind of crappy.

    I’ll pray for a SUNNY day for you today – literally and figuratively.

  • Uncle George

    March 3, 2009 at 12:17 pm

    J, I have to agree with Victoria. And a good firm NO and being patient are wonderful qualities in a parent. No wonder BB is such a good little lady.

  • a Chris

    March 3, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    Well done, for sticking to your guns on the “no”s. Well done, for savouring a sweet moment of life and letting Bug experience her sweet moment. IMHO, you chose the right way: delivery of a water bucket would not have made a magic moment the way the raindrops may have done. Bug’s still singing, even with a “no” here and there. Bittersweet post. Hope the worries get lighter.

  • lynne

    March 3, 2009 at 1:32 pm

    Lol I am sitting down with a hot cup of tea ad my feet in some furry slippers just returning home after been drenched in freezing rain. Yes, I can agree it’s not the worst thing to be rained on, but on reflection some rain is wetter and hits harder than others? :)