Rain Go Away

The evening rain offers a jolt down my spine.  Almost a burst of energy runs through my veins.  Nothing can stop me.  I immediately feel the cold rain water on my arm sleeves from earlier in the day.  "I should've wore my hat," I thought.  By my side was my ultimate loyal companion, all 55 pounds of her.  I never watched her walk this fast.  I could only imagine how cold her paws must feel in the crooked ground filling its gaps with cold October rain.  It was like the seasons switched overnight as the abundance of leaves could be found floating away into the empty streets.  The only sounds are that of the vicious winds in sync with the bitter rain.  This kind of weather sent folks scurrying indoors as the temperature continued to slowly drop.  Most people can't stand days like these, I dug every minute of it.

The realization of water entering my shoes only made me shrug, the fogging up of my glasses made me smile and the breeze lifting my jacket off of my shoulders made me feel alive.  My unprotected hair filled with fluid and the sweat on my forehead was replaced by a tickling flow courtesy of the storm.  I've grown accustomed to being drenched during mother nature's inconvenience.  What else can I do?  Run and hide under an umbrella like most people?  Nah.  I've got a better idea.  Embrace the grind.  If it won't kill you, go through with it.  It'll make you stronger.

I can't count how many times I've watched men, women, and children hiding underneath anything hovering above them blocking one of mother nature's greatest treats.  It makes me smile.  I am often met with a line of locals rushing their way through the drenched sidewalks holding up their umbrellas.  So many times my already sensitive eyes have been put in danger, not from the God awful rain, but from the good mannered citizens carrying their sword-like shields.  It makes me relish this night even more.  Not one soul outside.  Well, not yet at least.  Ruby stops to sniff around some exposed grass, fully benefiting from the seasonal showers.  When was it decided that rain was bad?  Was it when we worried so much about our clothes being dry?  Was it when we became so adamant on avoiding any kind of small sickness?  "I don't wanna die without any scars," famously stated Tyler Durden from the popular film, Fight Club.

Where did that mentality go?  I'm not saying to go find a friend and start beating each other senseless.  I'm saying why should we allow the weather to throw a wrench in our plans?  Mother nature giveth and mother nature taketh.  I recall being in the sixth grade, hoping and praying for a blizzard to touch down only to curse the frigid Earth when it actually came.  I did my best penguin impression as I tried to keep my balance.  I didn't want to be the laughing stock.

Sometimes the weather is not here to make a mark but, instead destined to leave a scar.  We have no say in the matter.  Which is why during nights like these when we have it a lot easier than say places like the beloved Bahamas, why not embrace it?  I intend to.  My walks with Ruby last roughly twenty minutes but after thinking of her fragile paws, I decide it's best to try and walk as fast as she allows me to.  The vibrant cars swish past me as I stepped into the bright streets reflecting the traffic lights.  Each rain drop only increases my enjoyment, the fog invites me inside to a place others avoid.  I can tell Ruby enjoys the experience by the way her hips move back and forth.  Who could blame her?  Once the cold water touches her fur, she becomes livelier and playful.  My favorite side of her, which is quickly followed by an extended nap on the endless sofa.

 I watch her and smile as I shake off my shoes and remove my coat.  Home sweet home always feels a little bit better after a battle with nature.  I've seen worse.  Walked through worse.  Hurricane Sandy sent me over to my aunt's house for a memorable Halloween.  We were all bunched into the living room.  Not for long though, we embraced the challenge by exiting the narrow door and heading towards the nearest grocery store.  Those chips never tasted better.  The rain offered a new memory as it wiped away the old ones.  I was alive.  I am alive.