After the Rain
So yesterday was one of those crazy-weather days. The kind that starts with t-shirts and shorts and ends with winter coats — with lots of wind and rain and scary-looking clouds inbetween.
When I headed out at 2 p.m. it was a balmy 72 degrees outside, but the sky was black to the west and the wind was gusting to 30 miles per hour. Within 15 minutes the rain began falling, but in another 15 minutes the storm had passed, the temperature had dropped to 55 degrees on its way to the 40s, and the sun was starting to peek out from behind the clouds.
As I was heading into the grocery store, it began to sprinkle again – but the sun was still out. So naturally, I turned around – and saw a full rainbow beginning to form. I stopped and watched as it got more vibrant against the dark clouds.
Soon I could see not only the full rainbow, but under the violet stripe were all the colors again – but in very skinny stripes. And to top it off – there appeared a second arc above the first – making a full double (triple?) rainbowIt was gorgeous.
I stood out in the drizzle a bit longer – and turned to watch the other shoppers running into the store, completely oblivious to the splendor unfolding just behind them. One lady did stop, noticed my smile, and said, “It’s beautiful isn’t it?!” We had a nice chat. I was grateful that I was able to share the experience, and I passed the rest of the afternoon with a smile in my heart.
A couple hours later, as sunset approached, it was again drizzling. I had just reached the mall, and was circling the top of the parking deck looking for a space, when the sun dropped below the clouds to the west and I was treated to ANOTHER rainbow!
Vibrant Double Rainbow at Sunset
Now that was a first for me – two rainbows in one day (and just hours after I had started this blog!) — and this time, I grabbed my camera as soon as I was able to find a parking space.
This rainbow wasn’t a full arc like the first, but it was double. And it was absolutely the brightest rainbow I have ever seen. Ever.
And the coolest part? Three teenage boys with shoulder-length hair walking towards the mall were pointing and exclaiming, “It’s a double one!” as they took in the scene. They saw it. They appreciated it. And they were drinking it all in.
So how about you? On the rainy days when the sun peeks out from behind the clouds, do you turn your gaze skyward? Or are you too busy with your day-to-day life to allow yourself to be distracted?
Sometimes stopping for a moment to look at something beautiful is all you need to shake the doldrums. Getting out of your head and allowing yourself to “be” in a moment might just bring a smile to your face.
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