The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.
We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.
The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in, "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said.
"What?" Mom asked.
"Let's run through the rain!" She repeated.
"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied. This young child waited about another minute and repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain,"
"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.
"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.
"This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet? "
"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!"
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few seconds. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith..
"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.
Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.
And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.
Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.
I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME
TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.
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Let your light shine in the darkness. "I can't just bring my mind to meetings...I must also bring my heart."
Aww Kismet that was one of the most beautiful stories I have ever heard.
Let me tell you one of mine.
Since you have met my son you know how he is. He was so funny one day when we were going shopping at Borders. There were some teenage girls coming out of the store and they were cute. His teacher is always saying that he has good taste in women and here he was waving to these girls that were way cute. It was funny. He knows so many people and is a very popular kid at school. As we got up to the door I was giggling, but when he opened the door and said after you I was laughing hysterically. Autistic though he may be this kid is a miracle in my life. His perspective on life is so much different than the average person and is truly humbling for us "normal" people.
Much Love to you Kismet
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Higher Power doesn't always wrap presents in pretty paper.
Thanks for sharing this story ... the last few days I have been tempted to catch a ride to work instead of walking because of cloudy skies but then I think of this story and tie me shoes and get my hiney out the door. The first day I was grateful it did not rain, yesterday I was kinda hoping it would ... and today I think I am ready for a washing, lol. Thanks again!