The
expression is simple enough… covers the ground that we all encounter
moments of sadness.
Happens,
it says. That’s life, it says. Sometimes it’s even necessary,
it doesn’t say but we like to believe.
The
other day I was walking along and passed a couple of people that
were talking, and one of them pulled out this old standby gem
of a saying. And, since I didn’t hear any other part of their
conversation, all I can say is fine. Nice thought. Quite likely
well-intended.
But
it got me wondering. Because the first place my mind went… for
whatever reason… was to kick up a spoken in silence sarcasm, close
to: “Hopefully not falling on an outdoor wedding.” And I probably
don’t need to tell you that tangent thoughts just exploded from
there as I got in my car and set off on a twenty minute or so
drive home.
Rain on your wedding day is a sign of good luck.
I
am one million percent convinced that this expression was first
expressed on a rainy day, by a member of a bride’s family, as
that very bride looked out upon a deluge of water flowing down
from dark clouds while pitching the greatest freak out hissy fit
ever recorded by a photographer, and, depending on the budget,
videographer.
Here’s
the crazy thing… unless you can document some highly unusual fondness
for rain or something such as a heartwarming story about departed
family and the resulting comfort found in thunder… I feel confident
saying that 100% of brides asked would take dry and sunny for
the special day.
(Not
one would vote for rain and good luck. 100%. Ahh… but the original
saying… into everyone’s life, occasionally some rain. Not exclusively
into everyone’s wedding day, some downpours. Ok…)
There’s
different types of rain.
There’s
unexpected rain while heading someplace dressed really nice but
without an umbrella.
There’s
strong storm rain with wind and more that uproot trees, damage
property and knock out power lines.
There’s
steady rain that waters plants and yards, gardens and farms, while
bringing about life and health and color and beauty.
Let’s
at this point come up with an important understanding for our
discussion here, and bring things back a bit… we’re going to stay
on the path that rain is a bad thing. That’s an important element
to consider when the discussion begins to include yards and gardens
and rainbows and puddle-stomping.
We
don’t pull out a “into every life, a little rain must fall” offering
of comfort with someone winning the lottery. (“Hey, yeah, sorry
about that one hundred million dollars you won. Well, everyone
has to face a storm or two now and then. It’ll clear up and get
better.” That doesn’t happen. In broad, sweeping, generic views,
rain is a negative. All those sayings about rain begin there.)
What
the weddings give us is a bit of perspective.
I
like snow. A dusting, a decent covering, a blizzard. I like snow.
Sort
of.
When
I don’t need to clear the driveway to get anyplace immediately
and can address it at my own pace… when the heating of my house
is not in danger because I badly need a delivery of oil or I’m
running low on firewood… when I have plenty of hot cocoa available…
I love snow. Beautiful stuff.
When
it’s dirty and slushy… and I need to get out of the driveway and
in to work and I’m already running late… when the dogs spot it
and want to go outside every three and a half minutes again and
again and again and again and again to play… when a path needs
to be cleared so the oil tank can be filled… not a big fan of
snow.
It’s
also not the cold or hot or weather that bothers me. In similar
ways.
I’m
fine with warm days. Hot and humid are ok. Unless I’m trying to
sleep… unless I step out of the shower and already need another
shower before I get dressed. Don’t ruin my day or inconvenience
me, and we’ll be fine.
Back
to the rain.
When
I was a kid, we had a basketball hoop in the driveway. And, as
kids are prone to doing, we often stayed outside… even in the
rain… to play. For some reason, I happened to notice I did better
when it rained. I have zero clue why. But it gave me a bit of
a mindset. I tend to deal well with rain, literally and figuratively.
Creates a focus I suppose. Still…
Rain…
Bad
thing…
Happens.
The
trick of rain… or a storm… or any cliché we might explore…
is a simple concept: perspective. Or… in a better way of saying
it… location.
It’s
sunny and 70 degrees in San Diego as a foot of snow is on the
way to New England.
The
same storm changing plans at a wedding is watering someone’s garden.
The
hurdles and tears from yesterday are recalled with character and
laughter tomorrow.
Location.
By distance… by viewpoint… by time.
A
little rain must fall. But that’s about the only must part of
it. The rest is life, and that’s unpredictable. (Just do what
you can to position yourself accordingly when selecting your seats
to watch it fall.)