Don't Forget To Take An Umbrella, It Just Might Rain

Don't Forget To Take An Umbrella It Just Might Rain

Judie had been living in the city for most of her life. And she always proudly proclaimed that the hustle and bustle of the city kept her going no matter what her days were like. She had no family there. But she did have a grandmother who lived in the country. And although Judie adored her aging grandmother, she knew to take some of the advice she often got from her grandmother with a grain of salt.

There was the advice about making sure to put on clean socks in case you are in an accident. Then there was one that really left Judie confused. The one about knees being important and you should cherish them. And of course, the one Judie has heard for as long as she can remember. Don't forget to take an umbrella, in case it rains.

Judie was heading out the door one morning, when her phone rang. It was her grandmother. While hurrying out the door, Judie answered the phone with her usual upbeat voice. "Hi Granny Ann! How are you?" Asked Judie. Her grandmother squeaked back in her mousy voice. "I'm fine dear. I know you are probably on your way to work. Be careful out there." Then came the inevitable question Judie was prepared for.

Her grandmother continued by asking "Do you have on clean socks honey?" And almost immediately Judie replied back "Yes. I have on clean socks Granny Ann." And on cue her grandmother chimed in, "It looks like rain sweetie, don't forget to take an umbrella." "Granny Ann, this is the city. We don't get rain as often as you do there in the country. There's not a cloud in the sky." Judie said replying to her grandmother's suggestion before politely ending the call.

Judie continued out the door and proceeded with her usual morning routine. Keeping up with the brisk pace of the morning commuters, Judie hurried along the paved city sidewalks. The sound of pattering heels on the concrete gave the distinct impression of an applause that Judie enjoyed hearing. She called it her morning homage.

She rushed in and out of the crowded coffee shop on the corner that she frequents regularly. The pungent aroma of the freshly brewed Macchiato blend still lingered with her as she continued out the door and down the sidewalk. Judie pushed her way through the herd of people like a dusty old ranch hand on the range. Suddenly, she felt a familiar sensation. "What was that? “she thought. It happened again. Judie felt it for a third time. It was tiny droplets of water.

Judie looked around the swamped roadways and congested corners, but she saw nothing. Convinced that she was the object of some tasteless prank, her gaze went upward toward the sky at the tall buildings that went on forever. Splat! Directly in here eye. There it was again. By now the droplets of water were falling with more frequency. Judie couldn't believe it. It was beginning to rain. The fresh smell of rain filled the air. Before long, there were deep grumblings of thunder followed by an unexpected soaker of a rain fall. And Judie was now caught in the middle of it. The rainfall began intensifying as the seconds began ticking away.

Small puddles began forming on the busy streets, and sidewalks. People began scurrying for protection from the pelting rain like mice. Others quickened their pace and hid in shops, doorways and any space available trying to keep dry. There were a few however, who moved with brisk confident steps that walked unbothered by the surprising change in weather. These individuals continued as if it were the usual sunny day, with their stride unimpeded. They held their brief cases and laptops close to their sides in one hand, and in the other hand was an umbrella.

Judie stood in the doorway of a butcher's shop. The smell of freshly cut salami and ham danced around her nose as the sound of the rain echoed in her ears. Great! Thought Judie. Seeing some people with umbrellas, Judie didn't know if she should be upset with them for being prepared, or more disappointed with herself for not being prepared. All she could think of now was the many times her grandmother suggested she take an umbrella in case it rained. Here she was trapped between a butcher's shop and what seemed like a torrential downpour.

After standing there pondering her next move, Judie realized that the only way to get where she had to go was to step out into the storm. So, Judie prepared herself the best she could and reluctantly stepped into the rain. As the rains continued to fall, Judie's clothes became drenched with water, and the dark curls in her hair that she was so proud of were no longer visible. Judie thought to herself, although this was not the ideal way, she wanted to begin her day, there was nothing she could do about a passing rain cloud. So, she continued to work. She thought, "I may arrive drenched from the storm, but I won't be delayed because of it. But next time I'll take an umbrella, it just may rain."

If we were to be honest, we understand from experiences the worst storms we've been caught in were the ones we were least prepared for. No one truly knows what each forecast may bring to us each day. Sometimes the sun shines, and sometimes it rains. But rain eventually is a part of everyone's forecast. I live in the south. This part of the country is prone for severe and sudden storms. And I have been caught in some terrible storms, and I have witnessed some. Throughout the years I have learned that it's not the severity of the storm that determines if you will survive it or not. but the mind that you carry going into the storm. Sudden storms are the most difficult to prep for, but a clear perspective will make you wind-resistant and waterproof. Because of this, I quickly realized that storms don't come to stay, they come to pass. And that the sun does come from behind the clouds.

We all have been a casualty of passing clouds and rains. Storms can delay where we may be heading, but they don't have to completely prevent us from arriving. There will be times when we will have to arrive soaked, rained upon, and tired. Runners in a race also finish tired, and sweaty, but they still cross the finish. Therefore, if you must arrive tired or a little wet, arrive at your finish. The unexpected happens to us all, but how we approach it will determine how it affects us. We can remain huddled in a corner or step out into what makes us cringe. Just know there will be days you will have to step out into the storm to make it where you need to be in life. Our days aren't always going to be filled with the perfect weather, and there won't always be rain. Life has a way of balancing the forecast. We can do our best to be prepared no matter what the forecast calls for. The truth is this. Life, like weather is unpredictable. It can be both surprising and unexpected. And while we can't prepare for every eventuality life brings us, we can do our best to weather the storms that come along with it. So, take an umbrella, you never know when it might rain.