Sparkling Rain Drops

Yesterday, I was just inside the house spending the lazy Sunday afternoon. I looked outside and dark clouds formed, and it began to drizzle. I remembered I have to get my laundry from the laundry shop before the day ends. I might not get it later for I have to go to the church. I grabbed my umbrella upstairs and went outside. As I was walking towards the laundry shop, a feeling just overwhelmed me. I felt refreshed seeing the trees, their leaves being cleansed from the dust by the soft drizzle. The clouds beyond the horizon still looked dark, angry, yet an implacable calm set in my heart watching these huge masses of rain. I caught myself in a nostalgic moment,

"When was the last time I felt like this?"

It felt so familiar and it was an old feeling, so long ago, I thought I wouldn't remember. I used to like rains, I used to love gazing by the window in our old house watching the puddles, anticipating the lightning illuminating the darkened skies and catching myself frightened by the sound of the distant thunder. But there was one instance that I cannot forget, it was like a romance between me and nature and it happened when I was in Grade II.

Remember When It Rained

I remembered it was Thursday and we were playing at the school playground that afternoon. The clouds overhead were gray and not just ordinary gray but extremely gray, almost black. It's like they hold tons and tons of water but on far horizon by the west, the sun was shining so brightly unhindered by any cloud. We were busy playing, running and suddenly, I looked above and I saw something like salt crystals falling from the sky. I stopped from running, gazing intently what was falling. I immediately thought of UFO's and aliens like I've seen in VHS's. Seconds passed, and the crystals become more visible. They become so many filling the entire sky. I looked around and the other kids stopped playing. They were looking above, their eyes excited. I can't contain the anticipation of everyone in there. Seconds later, the crystals grew larger and they sparkle so bright that they looked like stars falling from the sky. Some children shouted,

"It's going to rain diamonds!",

"No," the others said. "It's going to rain ice crystals!"

As if preserved by the moment, we were just there; standing like in a trance, our eyes transfixed, awestruck. Our mouths in big "O"s gaping, beholding at the most beautiful sight. It felt magical and my 8-year old eyes were filled with such wonder only God can do. It's almost near and the crystals were now falling fast and suddenly, my face become wet as huge raindrops hit like bullets on everyone. Everyone scampered to their respective classrooms. When I was inside the room listening to the raging storm outside, my classmates and I were talking about it. We told our teacher about what we've seen and she explained that maybe the raindrops sparkled like diamond crystals because they reflect the sunlight. Oh well, yeah it could be and I know she was right but I can't forget the wonder it had on me.

I got back to my senses, still cherishing that wonderful memory. I haven't had those kind of experiences anymore. Maybe my heart does not anticipate such wonder. It has been blinded by the harsh realities of being an adult - work, bills, stress. I prayed to God that He would give me back my 8-year old eyes and be able to see what a wonderful world that we are living in; to be able to feel that every moment is a wonderful moment to cherish and once again to experience that childlike wonder.

The rain has stopped when the bell rang telling us that it's time to go home. The sun was still shining brightly outside and the clouds looked a little white. It must have emptied all the water it contained. I was walking with my classmates and on the horizon was the largest and brightest rainbow I have ever seen. Life has never been so good for this 8-year old soul.