As a kid, one of my favorite things to do was to play in the rain. Growing up in East Texas, there was plenty of it. It is one of the things I miss most about TX are the big thunderstorms. I remember watching the weather turn windy, and you knew a good one was coming. It was exciting and a little scary at the same time.
Since rain was plentiful in the part of Texas that I grew up in, so were leaf races, and tree bark races. I remember playing outside barefoot in the warm rain of an early Summer thunderstorm and loving every minute of it. It is a happy memory from childhood.
I remember my husband telling me once that he didn’t really play in the rain as a kid because it was usually really cold. It’s true, the rain here in UT is definitely colder. I thought that was sad because that is one of the things from my childhood I remember loving the most.
Yesterday, I sent my kids out into the backyard around the usual hour while I was going to make dinner. I noticed a dark cloud overhead and commented, “Oooh. That’s a dark cloud! Let me know if you hear any thunder”. A good TX size thunderstorm almost never happens in UT. I went inside leaving the three kids playing in the sand box in the back yard and the back door open.
After about 5 minutes, I hear the kind of screams that signal terrified children. And, I mean terrified. I could hardly hear the thunder that had caused the chaos because they were so loud. I walk quickly out there, and see Kyle sobbing, the baby crying because he doesn’t know what the heck is going on, and Avery quickly, and in a little bit of panic-mode trying to cover up the sandbox. I start laughing, and tell them “it’s just a little bit of thunder.” I pick up the trembling baby. He was shaking like a leaf. A very terrified leaf. As soon as my kids saw that I was laughing, and the thunder did not mean the end of the world, the tears stopped.
Chandler might be scarred for life, though.
We stood outside for a little bit longer and heard some more rumblings, but the rain was slow in coming. Soon, the big drops started to fall, and we ran inside and out to the front porch to watch the rain.
Oh no! It’s raining!
Can you grab it?
In that moment, I had a HUGE pile of laundry to fold. I had not even started dinner and it was quickly approaching 5 o’ clock, and my house was a mess.
As we watched the rain fall, Avery asked if she could go out in it. I hesitated for a moment thinking of everything there was to do, and how if one went out, they would all want to go out. I thought of the cold, wet children that would certainly be whiny after, and the work it would take to clean them up, and figure out what the heck we were going to eat for dinner.
Then, I remembered MY fun times in the rain.
And, I said yes.
I have a hard time letting go and just letting my kids be wild and free. I sometimes fear I’m the most uptight mom in the whole world.
In that instant, I could have said no so easily and gone about my chores while the kids found something to do inside to entertain themselves. Yet, I would have missed out on the joy that I experienced watching them play in the rain. I took pictures and watched them splash in puddles, help each other roll their pants up, jump while I tried to get the perfect shot, run back to me squealing (or crying) when they heard thunder, and just be thrilled to be experiencing a rare thunderstorm. I was so happy to see them happy.
Jumping off the steps!
1…2…3…Jump!
That moment might just be one that they remember over the moments where I say no.
That moment will definitely be one that I remember.
That moment made me a happier mom, and made them happier kids.
One moment like this can define both motherhood and childhood at the same time.
Because, when I look back on the job I did as a mother, I will remember moments where I said yes. I won’t remember that pile of laundry that didn’t get folded until the next day. I will remember the happy moment of watching my baby experience rain on his face for the first time.
And, they will remember what is most important in childhood. Joy.
Where in East Texas?! That’s where I am from! 🙂
Tyler!!! Born and raised! Where do you live?
You lying Mormon! I’m from Tyler!!!!
WHAT!!?? Seriously? how have we not made this connection? I went to REL for high school. OH MY GOSH.
I moved to Florida when my parents were divorced at 10 so I was only there for elementary. Where did you go? How old are you? THIS IS NUTS!
I went to Clarkston elementary. I am almost 36, so graduated high school in 95. I was born in Tyler, but then we moved around a lot until I was in 5th grade and we moved back to Tyler (right before I turned 10).
Oh, I went to St. Greg’s! I’m also a little younger (32) so we wouldn’t know the same people. But that’s pretty weird, right?
SUPER weird. You live in Austin area now though, right? I was just in Tyler last August.
Yeah, I lived in Florida for awhile but never really liked it. Being raised a southern girl, I could never really enjoy a state that is more northerners than anything else so I came home to Texas after graduation.
I haven’t been back to Tyler in YEARS but I couldn’t believe how much it had grown since I was a kid.
All of my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandma still live there! I don’t get to go back often, but it is where I will always call home. Craziness. I knew I liked you for a reason. 😉
That is just weird. It’s not like Tyler is Houston or Dallas. It’s Tyler! It’s rare to meet someone here in Austin from Tyler! 🙂
Maybe it’s just the small town southern girl that comes through all of our differences as people. So weird.
I guess! I’m blown away. So funny.
Awesome! Such a good blog. Love the pics too! This is one to remember for sure!
This is a beautiful post. Your kids were clearly excited and glad you said “yes”. Unfortunately, I live in Vermont (yes, I’m a Northerner) and our rain is often too cold….but the next time it’s warm, I”ll remember this post and hopefully think twice:)
By the way Amber……”you lying Mormon”……that has to be one of the funniest, yet endearing comments I’ve seen in blogging. Ever. Hilarious:)
Seriously.
love this! as a Seattleite, I can resonate with childhoods spent in the rain 😉 I loved pulling on the fir tree branches to have the big heavy drops come splashing off!
I miss the rain so much here!
I was always afraid of storms growing up so I made sure that my kids grew up differently. Granted, Kansas storms are so much different than most but some of our best memories are when the power goes out. Just tonight we spent the evening on the deck watching the clouds before a storm. As parents we have to make sure that our kids learn to enjoy life and you did just that! 🙂
I agree! 🙂
Oh how precious are your kids! You know you totally reminded me of what is important! Laundry will always be there but our Kids are only little for so long! Next time P asks me to go out in the rain and I’m busy I’m gonna remember this post and say Yes!!!
Letting go is so hard to do sometimes but feels so good. Your moment will turn into lovely memories.
LOVE LOVE LOVE thunderstorms!!! In the south we get them ALL the time. I also hope that the moments when I let them go crazy in the rain will override the moments where I had to say no and be the strict mama.
Your post made me smile because I used to love playing out in the rain too…and stomping in puddles
I don’t know why it cut me off like that in the middle of writing. Anyway, what I was going to say was that my kids liked it when they were little too and it was fun to have a little reminder of days gone by. 🙂 Happy Mother’s Day!
You’ll be glad to know that I have a 9 year old Texas girl (that moved here from Seattle) and runs out to enjoy every thunderstorm and puddle that comes our way! Fun story!
That’s awesome! I love that!