Momma Always Said: Play In The Rain

It has occurred to me that not everyone had the worlds best mom, and as greedy as I am with my mom and her love I feel like it's my job to share her brilliance; for her life's lessons to be spread to those who also need her.

What she wanted out of life was to be a mom, to teach, to lead, to fix, to play, and to love her kids. If she had her way she would be showing that twenty something and counting mom who's boss. Instead though she got myself....oh, and that brother of mine (I'm the youngest, can you tell?).

I've thought my whole life that my mom is just the most amazing mom in the world. She gave us the most simple and incredible childhood anyone could ask for, and out of nothing. 

So, to share a mothers love, I hope to start a small series of what my mom has taught me. 

I'll never forget my first real memory; playing in the rain. It was a classic country summer storm; I couldn't have been older than 4, and with my moms encouragement I stripped down naked and took off to the sidewalk tracing the border of our house. With all of my might I'd throw my little foot into every puddle I could find. I can still feel the puddles explode under my bare feet and the mud spread between my toes.

 Almost at the point of being done with my fun out comes mom and my brother, she took us running around the yard, sliding in the muddy grass, and laughing at how silly we were all being....and at how good the cold rain and mud felt. 

I think even more I remember going inside. Cold, wet, and a little tired she got us cleaned up, in clean dry clothes, and asked us if we had fun, what did we think, did the rain and mud feel good?

....she always asked us these kinds of questions. She always asked for our review on what we just experienced. Was this the key to her brilliant parenting? Is this what got those moments to stick in my head, to make them mean so much to me? She made sure that we talked about the mud, was it squishy, was it cold, did it tickle, was it yucky? I had so much fun just talking about it with her.

I'm sure this wasn't even close to my first play in the rain  party, but it's the first one that I can remember, and thanks to that mom of mine, it will never be my last.

My mom made a decision that day to give me something that would last me a life time. 

Never get out of the rain, run and play in it, enjoy it, let it wash everything away you have on your shoulders. Take note of every little wonder in life, feel smell, and enjoy what the world has to offer.

 I wonder if she knew that she was not only grounding my soul for life that day, but she was teaching me how to let go, feel free, keep my innocence, be in the moment, and to always see her smile in the rain. 

Thank you mom.