You know those times in your life when you get that warm fuzzy feeling vibrate through your body and you think to your self, “feels good to be livin’!”
Well, I had one of those this past weekend, let me explain.
My wife Terra, with daughters Solei and Talia along with our friend Heidi and her two sons all took off on a walk. We’ve all been cooped up on the ranch with a powerful storm that has penned us in for almost a week now. We’ve seen snow on the mountains, 45 mph winds from the east, rivers of water running around our house and an ocean in front of us that seems more like a hugh washing machine in the middle of a load.
Well yesterday, the sun broke briefly in all her glory onto the ranch. Those of you who live with small kids know that rainy days can be brutal. The kids are bouncing off the walls, you are trying every trick to keep them entertained all the while everything is damp and dirty.
So the sun broke and Terra, Heidi and family decided to make a break for a long over due walk down the road with the kiddo’s strapped to the back (literally) and the bigger ones in joggers.
I drove off to do some work as they sauntered down the road bathed in a beautiful light…you know that light erupting from puffy clouds and landing on glistening water droplets all around you.
30 minutes after I reach my destination, the dark clouds move in quickly again. While I’m safe and warm, I know that my wife’s desired destination is about an hour round trip.
I sit in the car and alternatively am pelted by sun and heavy rain in staccato bursts.
I figure it is time to return home.
I’m pulling up our muddy ranch road and see Terra, Heidi and kids right in front of me…drenched and laughing hysterically.
I pull past them and their big smiles as I peer in closer to see how the kids are doing.
Despite the best efforts of the joggers sun shades and rain jackets, the kids are pretty wet. Only the infants wrapped tightly against their mothers underneath rain jackets appear to be totally warm and dry.
Amazingly, my dauther Talia in the jogger is sleeping all the while a steady drip of water is landing on her head.
Although wet, both of these amazing mama’s are refreshed, revitalized and simply stoked. You can see the glow as they quickly replay in their head their adventure of getting caught in multiple pounding rain and sun within their hour long walk.
Terra told me later that this whole episode reminded her how alive she was. Trudging through a rain storm with family and friends..yes, the simple pleasures and experiences.
Good to know when you are living the good life.
