Early Sunday morning I awoke to cool temperatures, a constant breeze, and rain. I had slept with the windows and bedroom deck door open, so it was chilly, even under the covers. With five others in the house still sleeping soundly, all I could hear was the constant tapping of the rain. I pulled the covers up more, reached for my Kindle, and read for several blissful hours.
This was the start of a great first day of vacation.
Later in the morning I curled up in a comfortable chair next to floor-to-celing windows off the deck. With the window cranked open fully, feeling the breeze and listening to the patter of rain, I wrote for hours. When I couldn’t write any longer, I lazily made my way across the room to the sofa, Kindle in hand; it was time to read again.
I exerted myself later in the day by leaving our lake house rental in search of a few items we needed for dinner, which led to the greatest effort I made all day: preparing dinner. There was time spent with the four kids and enjoyable conversations with AC, my close friend and vacation partner, as well. But regardless of what I was doing, it was quiet and restful.
On this rainy first day I accomplished something I stated in a post was important for me to do this summer: have an experience similar to my favorite Spanish proverb:
“How beautiful it is to do nothing….and then rest afterwards.”
The kids had plans to play in the lake and I had wanted to enjoy a mile-long lake swim. The afternoon was to involve a hike at beautiful Swallow Falls Park. But the cold, windy, rainy day forced a change of plans.
There were two ways to view the circumstances:
- Bad weather negatively impacted our first day of vacation.
- We had the perfect weather to have a do-nothing-and-rest kind of day.
I chose to see it as the latter, knowing there were many more days to be filled with lake swims, long runs, tubing, zip lining, hiking, and more. This was the day I had been wishful for, wondering if I would experience it this summer.
Like my unexpected gift the first day of vacation, the best experiences in life can come at the most inopportune time. They can also be missed by not slowing down, being open to the unexpected, and experiencing with a grateful heart.
Have you had any unexpected gifts recently?
Please share below.
Comments
8 responses to “The Unexpected Gift of Rain”
Totally agree, as much as rainy days can be frustrating, I also have (recently) chosen to take them as a gift, as a reason or opportunity or excuse to have a lovely refreshing day at home!
I love an excuse to slow down. Rain and snow always provide the must-needed respite for me.
Sounds like a lovely first day of vacation! Although we usually picture icy drinks in the hot sun, putting our toes in the cool water the first day, cozying up with a book sounds perfect. We’re on the same coast so I know the change in weather you refer to and there was a huge storm here last night. Quite a light show. I can’t think of any unexpected gifts lately but when they come, they’re fantastic!
They are fantastic! Enjoy the cooler weather. Fall will be here soon too.
That day sounds absolutely blissful. :-)
My unexpected gift is that I’ve been working out with my friend who didn’t have too much experience. In the process of not only teaching her how to work out, I’ve watched her confidence and motivation develop. It’s given me a real sense of accomplishment, and an opportunity to help a friend. AND motivate myself!
I’m actually throwing around the idea of getting my personal trainer’s license!
This is a wonderful gift!
No new gifts as of lately, but I sure could take a vacation like the one you’ve just described! Maybe a nice long weekend of doing NOTHING is just what I need!
I hope you have a long, relaxing weekend soon!