For most of the summer, Raleigh, and most of North Carolina2, has been in a drought. The lakes are extremely low and voluntary water restrictions have moved to mandatory. Precipitation has been very hard to come by. However, last Friday, thanks to hurricane Humberto, we got some much needed rainfall.

I had to leave work yesterday at 4:303. As I walked through the atrium on my way out, I could hear the rain pounding on the roof. I rounded the corner to head for the exit, and through the glass doors I could see the rain I had only heard before. It was pouring. One might use the phrase cats and dogs, but that would not do justice to this barrage of liquid precipitation. No. This was more like anteaters and orangutans.

As I neared the exit, I saw that several co-workers had decided to wait it out. They stood there umbrellas in hand, waiting. Some found this the proper occasion for chit-chat. Others, it seemed, grumbled. There were a few brave souls that ventured out into the torrential downpour. They pointlessly ducked under their umbrellas and scurried across the parking lot toward their cars.

In that moment, I... I took the road less traveled by. I walked by the people waiting for a reprieve, and walked out the door like it was any other Friday afternoon. I didn’t hustle toward the car. If anything, I may have walked a little slower.

In that moment I couldn’t help but smile. I looked to the sky and let the rain fall on my face. I could see the rain. I could smell the rain. I could even taste the rain. It was incredible. I couldn’t fathom complaining about being wet. For weeks people have been complaining about the lack of rain. How could I, or anyone, complain now that it was here.

As I made it to the car, the song on my iPod finished up. It was Endlessly by Fugitive4. The last line of the song says this…

You’re perfect in every way. Like a bright, sunny day, your love shines down on me. You love me endlessly.

I guess that applies to the rain too.

1. back Thanks to Rebecca for taking such a great picture. Also, Congratulations to her and Joel on their wedding.


2. back I heard a stat on the radio that 80 out of 100 counties in NC were in a severe drought.


3. back Kim went on a girls' night out on Friday night, which I think was really good for her.


4. back I’m not even sure where I got the Fugitive cd.

Labels: indiscriminate