Smiles Beneath the Umbrellas

[image: man and child laughing in the rain]

    Now to those of you in other parts of the world, where it has been cold for a while, the idea that our fall rains are finally starting now may sound lovely. But here, where drought and lack of rainfall hang over our heads like a sword of Damocles, we await rainfall with bated breath.

    Then, today, at noon I was outside when it started sprinkling. Immediately every single child in the area spread open their umbrellas. The universal expression of the children was unabated glee. They were grinning "ear-to-ear". The attitude of the children seemed infectious to me. I loved to see them enjoying the rain in such a care-free and simple manner.

   However, the adults puzzled me. I was just about the only grown-up sporting a grin. 95% of the adults passing me were sporting rather serious expressions, and seemed oh so intent on accomplishing whatever they had set outside to do.

   Now responsibility is a great thing. And adults definitely may have more on their minds than their children do.  But what was going on here?

   I suspect that it had a bit to do with the rain being a bit unexpected (that is, to anyone who had not read the weather forecast).  Moments before it had been balmy and sunny.

     I suspect that children are in general more open to changing situations.  And I believe that we adults are really missing out on a lot of the small joys of life, simply because we are just too intent on the list of things to get done. But if we are out in the rain anyway, by golly, let's enjoy it!