Looking back over the duration of my trip to the West Bank in Palestine this summer, I can distinctly remember the day I first saw clouds—if the transparent wisps of white in the air can be called real clouds. I asked probably half a dozen people that day if they saw the clouds. Those bits of gathered moisture droplets were a phenomenon in that dry land.
I thought the white puffs spectacular. You see, as I spent daily time in the sun—glorious and warm and bright though it was—I couldn’t help but long for the rain. There is something about rain that makes green leaves greener, light reflections shimmer more keenly, and the colors of the life on the ground pop brilliantly in contrast to a grey, rain-laden sky.
The morning after I arrived in England after spending a month in that dry land I woke up and the gentle sound of rain on the window caressed my ears. Opening my eyes I tilted my head to see the water in tiny streams falling down the pane. A joyful awakening—rain!
It rained through the day as I walked into the airport to fly hour upon hour. It rained as I gaily walked back out of the airport because of overbooked flights—happy to prolong my stay in England. It rained as my youthful host took me to a pub near Windsor Castle to play a game of cards over some lunch. It rained as we walked down the cobblestone streets past an old accordion player and preoccupied, umbrella-clad shoppers.
The gracious hosts apologized over again for the rain. “It would have to rain for you on your first day in London, wouldn’t it? Sorry about that.” Katie said in her proverbial British accent.
The rain dramatizes not only the colors of the world: yes, greens are greener and blacks, blacker, but also lovely moments are lovelier. “I don’t mind,” I replied with a smile.
6 comments:
I had finally gone to bed after a long day of work. I was settled under the covers with my reading glasses and "Persuasion" .... when I suddenly remembered an e-mail notification that Becca had finally posted!! I jumped up and came to my office to have my first gander. (I'm sure I'll read it again in the morning. And then again later...)
I'm glad I did. It was lovely, sweet Becca!
Refreshing.
longing for rain...
finally! sorry, really, that it took so long. but i do love this. such a good idea. i'm already thinking about what i'm going to write about for when it's my turn. that way it'll get up in a more reasonable time period.
gahhhh.
I wanna go to England. not fair!
opps that last one was Emily. haha sorry bout that
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