Need Washing?

I have been busy with my life sometimes worrying about things too much. Today is one of those days of balancing many things at one time and finding some things frustrating. In the midst of my frustration and worry, a friend sent me this in an email. Just what I needed at that moment. Cry baby that I am, I bawled.  Please read it. It may change your day (your life).

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Wal-Mart. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence.

It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there, under the awning, just inside the door of the Wal- Mart.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day.

I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

Her little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in, 'Mom let's run through the rain,'

she said.

'What?' Mom asked.

'Let's run through the rain!' She repeated.

'No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,' Mom replied.

This young child waited a minute and repeated: 'Mom, let's run through the rain.'

'We'll get soaked if we do,' Mom said.

'No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning,' the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

'This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?'

'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, ' If God can get us through this, He can get us through anything! ' '

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain.. We all stood silently. No one left. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say.

Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith..

'Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just need washing,' Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They got soaked.

They were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did.

I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday.

To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.

I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

Send this to the people you'll never forget and remember to also send it to the person who sent it to you. It's a short message to let them know that you'll never forget them.

If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're in a hurry.

Take the time to live!!!

Keep in touch with your friends, you never know when you'll need each other --

and don't forget to run in the rain!

In honor of my family and friends who are fighting battles I hope to never know. 

A Mirage, A Memory

Olympic Mountain Range

  

Today as I spent many a moment reflecting on my day while driving,

I found myself at the peak of a path toward home.

There I saw a majestic sight which always takes my breath away.

There, beyond the shoreline, across the Sound, 

       lay the mountains they call Olympics.

I saw the road which leads to the tree tops and points toward one

             of the prouds of the Pacific North West.

Mount Rainier playing peek-a-boo.

I scanned the horizon in hopes to catch a glimpse of the grandest

            of grand mountains.

Grand Rainier plays hide and seek today, as it is one of its favorite sports.

My eyes return to the breathtaking view ahead.

Olympic Mountain Range

The powder-blue sky embraces the white peaks which flow into the pale blue water.

The pale-blue pours over blending into the distant blue-grey shoreline.

Which is framed by the green tips of the pines. 

You could swear the tree tops had a drip of blue on them as though

           they had been the paintbrushes that shaded the horizon. 

As I descend down the asphalt way. 

The panorama of picturesque beauty dips below the skyline and soon 

           reappears as I soar anxiously toward the untouchable. 

This sight is but a vision, an illusion which makes my soul smile. 

It is the shades and shapes which make up the view I see. 

I have been to this place and I have captured its image like photographs in an album.

It appears in many forms and conjures many feelings. 

Today, I drove toward those mountains and reflected on my memories.  

Today I traveled far. 

Ok, not camping but close
enough. They were nasty.
Took Nyquil to sleep.

Now let me tell you about this piece. My sister lived in Seattle for many years and I would go and visit her. I love the Pacific Northwest (minus the rain and slugs) It is one of the most breathtaking places I've been. When Mount Rainier decides to show itself, it is almost spiritual. August is the best time to visit Seattle. I have been on Mount Rainier and I have camped on Mt. St. Helen. Eesh. I have climbed through the lava tubes and tree roots that the lava burned out. That is a must if you visit the West.

These are the lava tubes. They
are tree root systems burned out
by the lava. You can crawl all
the way through them. So cool.

With all of my trips out there, I have captured photos in my mind that I carry with me always. One day while i was driving home down a road I've driven thousands of times, I noticed something spectacular. My mind played tricks on me. As I reached the top of a hill on the road, I could see over the tree tops. There in front of me were cloud formations that miraged views of the Pacific Northwest. It was just as I described. The clouds formed mountain peaks and formed shorelines.  It was truly amazing. I could have sat there and imagined for hours that I was there. I came home and wrote about it.

I have always seen things slightly different than others. I see things within things. That is why I like photography. I have even photographed a book series for children that would even make you see things differently. I should actually make an e-book out of it. It would be great for that.

So the next time you are driving or walking or riding or whatever you are doing, take a closer look at what is around you. YOu might see something in a little different way...a new perspective.



I'd love your feedback or just let me know who has stopped by by leaving a hello comment or a response below. If you share it, let me know so I can send thanks.  :)