In the Midst of A Storm - Become A Rain Dancer
Posted: Wednesday, February 18, 2009
by Avis Ward
GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens
We were happy his job required frequent trips to the states. This trip across the pond meant we'd be in Cleveland, Ohio. Continental Airlines had great fares from where I lived to Cleveland and he just included my fare as business travel expenses for him.
I don't know who said it but it's so very true. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain." This person gets nothing but praise from me. I read that quote somewhere today and it brought memories of the last time I literally danced in the rain.
I loved dancing in the rain as a child. I can almost hear mother saying, "Avis, you are going to catch pneumonia or a cold. Please come inside?" I would tell her I could not catch a cold because the water was warm and so was I. I did not know what pneumonia was but knew my uncle got it because he was always walking.
No one had to ask me to come in if thunder rolled. I knew lightning had flashed somewhere, even if I did not see it; and darted inside faster than a speeding locomotive! I had a lot of respect for lightning and still do.
We had a long distance relationship. I preferred it that way even though it offered challenges. One might consider living on separate continents does not a relationship make but I beg to differ. His rather frequent trips from London and my infrequent trips to the UK suited me perfectly.
The timing was perfect, too for him to be in Cleveland. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum was paying homage to John Lennon. The top floor of the museum was dedicated to Lennon. What a treat this was for Chris!
The evening was lovely. The breeze from Lake Erie rolled in as we left the Marriott at Key Center for dinner. We walked hand-in-hand the four or five blocks to the restaurant. The Chop House and Brewery located downtown in the warehouse district is legendary for their steaks, chops and seafood. I recall asking Chris to generously tip the pastry chef, too!
As we were leaving, it began to rain. Chris offered to fetch a taxi and I refused. I was a little girl again and this time, mother could not insist I come inside, out of the rain. But even then, I could hear her in my heart. I smiled at the memory because she is no longer with us.
The rain was a fine mist. I said with childish excitement, "Let's walk in the rain!" We removed our shoes and walked in the direction of our hotel. We stole private moments in alleyways for smooches. About three blocks from the hotel, I began to dance. He joined me and so did our laughter.
We savored the spontaneity of our actions because he was headed across the pond the next morning. We were unsure when we would be together again. I hinted that I thought it was time for him to go back to South Florida. I knew he would make it happen, and soon, if possible.
Sometimes, life is very kind to us. Sometimes, it can be harsh. Our perspective on what comes our way can help us to refocus our vision and get a different picture. We danced under a dark sky of light showers but the sky can be ghastly with storm clouds. There can be a torrential downpour yet we can still dance. With absolute certainty, we will experience the storms of life but we can dance inside.
Giving thanks for all that's good in our lives in the midst of a storm, is dancing. We should never let our dance card fill with miscellaneous tasks and we fail to dance. Become a rain dancer!
2009 by Avis Ward of My FM Place.com
I don't know who said it but it's so very true. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain." This person gets nothing but praise from me. I read that quote somewhere today and it brought memories of the last time I literally danced in the rain.
No one had to ask me to come in if thunder rolled. I knew lightning had flashed somewhere, even if I did not see it; and darted inside faster than a speeding locomotive! I had a lot of respect for lightning and still do.
We had a long distance relationship. I preferred it that way even though it offered challenges. One might consider living on separate continents does not a relationship make but I beg to differ. His rather frequent trips from London and my infrequent trips to the UK suited me perfectly.
The timing was perfect, too for him to be in Cleveland. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum was paying homage to John Lennon. The top floor of the museum was dedicated to Lennon. What a treat this was for Chris!
The evening was lovely. The breeze from Lake Erie rolled in as we left the Marriott at Key Center for dinner. We walked hand-in-hand the four or five blocks to the restaurant. The Chop House and Brewery located downtown in the warehouse district is legendary for their steaks, chops and seafood. I recall asking Chris to generously tip the pastry chef, too!
As we were leaving, it began to rain. Chris offered to fetch a taxi and I refused. I was a little girl again and this time, mother could not insist I come inside, out of the rain. But even then, I could hear her in my heart. I smiled at the memory because she is no longer with us.
The rain was a fine mist. I said with childish excitement, "Let's walk in the rain!" We removed our shoes and walked in the direction of our hotel. We stole private moments in alleyways for smooches. About three blocks from the hotel, I began to dance. He joined me and so did our laughter.
We savored the spontaneity of our actions because he was headed across the pond the next morning. We were unsure when we would be together again. I hinted that I thought it was time for him to go back to South Florida. I knew he would make it happen, and soon, if possible.
Sometimes, life is very kind to us. Sometimes, it can be harsh. Our perspective on what comes our way can help us to refocus our vision and get a different picture. We danced under a dark sky of light showers but the sky can be ghastly with storm clouds. There can be a torrential downpour yet we can still dance. With absolute certainty, we will experience the storms of life but we can dance inside.
Giving thanks for all that's good in our lives in the midst of a storm, is dancing. We should never let our dance card fill with miscellaneous tasks and we fail to dance. Become a rain dancer!
2009 by Avis Ward of My FM Place.com
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Ohhhhh! Avis, you really outdid yourself on this one. I LOVE this. I was there...right next to you, dancing along with you in the rain. How beautiful to share this. Thank you!Camille, I'll have the next dance, then. Okay? Thanks a million for your glowing comments. They made a girl feel good! I hope you're having a terrrrrrrrific Thursday!
Hugging life with love,
Avis
Avis, this is beautiful! We love playing out in the rain as well. Everytime we have a lightening storm Art wants to go for a drive. Thanks for sharing this sweet memory with us. It's always great to see your heart. Love you bunches! Sistah! TeresaAhh Sistah T, thank you ever so much. I liked that you saw beauty and my heart in this article. You and Art enjoy something very special. Our Lord has blessed us. I'm thankful just as I know you are.
Love you,
AvisSistah T, I like the sound of that--great stage name :-)Yes, I am thankful just as you are. Have a wonderful weekend!
This is a wonderful, warm, delightful story. It hooked me as soon as I started reading it and then it reeled me in. Dancing in the rain. I was in Tahiti many years ago, where it seemed to rain once a day for about 15 minutes each time. The rain was warm and it felt good to let it pour down on you. But these days, I can't really imagine dancing in the rain. I live in Canada, Eh!, and the rain is cold!!!David, thank you for being hooked and reeled in by this story. *smile* Sharing your Tahitian experience reminded me of my Hawaiian experience. It would rain on the island of Oahu just as it did in Tahiti. Fortune would have it as we circled the island, we would have just missed the rain. I wanted to get caught in the rain but with the lovely waterfalls, it didn't matter.
I shivered as I thought of being in Canada in the rain right about now. Ohh boy! *teeth clattering*
Enjoy a lovely weekend, Mr. Poet!
Avis, this is so beautiful… I can just imagine you and Chris like two young kids playing in the rain. I love the way you end the article with very wise words. I think that when people get older they either forget or repress the “child” inside and miss out on the real joy of living.You may have guessed by now…I am a rain dancer, sun dancer, storm dancer… I even dance for no reason at all and with no one but myself… and I have a total blast doing it…-)"You may have guessed by now…I am a rain dancer, sun dancer, storm dancer… I even dance for no reason at all and with no one but myself… and I have a total blast doing it…" -)
Nooo Christine, I nevah would've guessed! Say it ain't so! *laughing* We're sisters, for sure! I do happy dances at my seminars. I was in Los Angeles attending a seminar and the Seminar Leader asked me to show the other attendees how to do a happy dance. We had a blast!
I couldn't agree with you more about letting the child in us come out to play! It's healing and a life-giving force to our psyche and physical bodies. Thank you for dancing with us. Nice moves, girly!
Warm hugs,
Avischeck this out! Ah-uhm...ah-hm -ah-ah! LOLLOL - wooo hooo!!
Amazing piece, Avis. I've never danced in the rain, unless I was waiting for someone to unlock the door so I could use the bathroom! But seriously, an awesome story. Thank you...Thank you, Ken. You made me laugh out loud. I got a visual! I know that little ditty, too. I call it the two-left feet shuffle.
You're wonderful!
Avis,Your story has meaning in many ways, which is I am sure what you intended. My only problem is that I can't dance or even skip properly, but I can still smile. God bless.Jon,
Thank you. Yes, so much more than what was written until I actually thought of expanding it into a short story, perhaps in e-book form. (When I find the time.)
You have a lovely smile, too. The kind that makes one want to dance so keep smiling!
Enjoy a great weekend. Blessings to you, as well. Thank you, Jon.
Dear Avis, I could imagine you dancing in the rain as a child. I could "see" your mom putting her head out the door or raising a window many a time to call you inside. I can "see" you rushing in when thunder rolled!I could imagine the child-like abandon on the streets of Cleveland in the rain with Chris. Your spontaneity must have inspired his "dancing," too.
It is so-true that rain is warm! Why does that bring on pneumonia??? - sometimes.Thank you, dear sister, for a delightful, heart-warming read! Let it rain!~JaneDearest Jane, thank you for being there when I played as a kid. I'm sorry you had to hear mother scold me for not obeying fast enough. And dancing with Chris, did you notice his fancy moves? He knew I was playful; said it was contagious. He had no trouble 'cutting a rug' or should I say, sidewalk?
I'm very pleased your heart was warmed by my beautiful memory. And for the life of me, I never understood mother's pneumonia fear. l also thought my uncle got walking pneumonia because he walked a lot. *laughing* Yes, sometimes.
A joyful weekend. I echo you: "Let it rain!"
Your sister friend,
Avis
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