Raindrops 

“I love rain drops. There really isn’t a better feeling. It’s cleansing, it’s cold, it’s refreshing, it’s fulfilling.”

     -Author known and loved. 

Rain.  

I recall a time late in the night, nearing midnight, when the rain fell heavily on the marina in Des Moines.  A friend and I decided that it was a good idea to run to the end of the fishing pier and back during the deluge.  I being a more conservative person at the time felt this was a crazy idea but decided to hop in.  On returning to the car, soaked to the skin from head to toe, I realized that the rain was not a big deal and in fact, it was quite exhilarating.  Just rain.  Made us wet is all.  But I didn’t know the rest of the story.

Recently, while driving in southern Colorado, the rain began to fall on the windshield. Each drop was noticeable and it really got me thinking.  Instead of focusing on my driving, I daydreamed of the rain.  So take a moment and follow this personal journey.  

Picture yourself laying on your back, looking to the clouds, only to see a single drop of rain falling.  It leaves its cloudy home, falling toward earth, unable to escape gravity.  That lonely drop finds itself at the mercy of the elements; wind and heat fighting to change it’s trajectory.  Perhaps the raindrop becomes snow, it’s final destiny to be a beautiful blanket across the landscape.  Or perhaps it’s verga; rain that evaporates before touching the ground only to start its journey anew.  

Eventually, that solitary drop finds its way to earth, landing at will wherever chance may take it.  Perhaps it drops into the ocean or maybe a puddle.  Perhaps it lands on your face as you gaze toward the heavens, running down your cheek and falling to the soil.   

Journey complete.

But is the journey complete?  As the raindrop completes its free fall from the heaven’s towards earth, the descent is only one part of the journey.  Once the drop hits the earth, the work really begins.  That rain drop, nothing but a bit of water falling thousands of feet become an essential element, nourishing the earth, bringing life and sometimes death to our planet.  If conditions are right, the drop bends rays of light into beautiful colors stretching across the sky.

On that day in southern Colorado, I thought about each raindrop and how they represent our lives.  We are all affected by the environment and elements, our destination is unclear and the journey doesn’t end when you make it to your first goal.  Often, where we think there is an end, there is only a beginning.