Joy in the rain

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.

-Rabindranath Tagore

File this under made me smile ;-)

A couple of weekends ago, we were driving in downtown Seattle towards Belltown to meet some friends for an early dinner. The weather was pretty typical for March in the Northwest: cold and gray with a soft, relentless rain. Just as we got to 1st and Pike, a wedding party crossed directly in front of us. Thanks to my IPhone (which I'm a little embarrassed to admit is an object I am often grateful for), I was able to capture these two photos!

First came the bride and groom slogging through the streets in the dreary weather, yet still looking so festive and joyful.

Bride and Groom in Seattle-March 2012

Directly behind them came the bridesmaids. Under their clear umbrellas, they bobbed and floated across the wet brick street like a school of jellyfish crossing the sea. The whole procession made me smile as I thought about how the rain will always be a lovely backdrop to their wedding day. It was really a heartwarming sight.

I hope that, despite the weather, they were able to see the beauty in it and not take it as an omen for their future lives together. Like that old country song proclaimed: "Along with the sunshine, there's gotta be a little rain sometimes."

Wouldn't it be great if every married couple knew that up front? If couples understood that it wasn't always going to be clear and sunny, then they'd be better able to weather the storms that are sure to come their way. After being married for 28 years, my husband and I have been caught in more than a few downpours in our marriage (not to mention a big tsunami). But there have also been many rainbows and glorious days of sunshine. For you need the rain and sunshine just like you need laughter and tears. It's just one big balancing act, isn't it?

Stanley Park, Summer 2009