Another day, another deluge. Rainy season is upon us, and once again I’m surprised by just how much it rains on the west coast of British Columbia. Days and days of non-stop showers can drive anyone crazy, and, being a stay-at-home mom, I’m halfway to crazy most of the time! Rainy days are tolerable when you’re cuddled up on a window seat, sipping hot chocolate and contemplating life. When you’re trapped inside with a diaper-clad toddler and a five-year-old who are playing “push me and scream”, it’s another story. I always try and take the kids outside for fresh air and exercise, but on days like today it’s too miserable. The kids might have fun, but standing outside, soaking wet, and watching them rub mud on themselves raises my blood pressure.
When I worked full time (back in the Jurassic Age) rain was my nemesis. In the mornings, I would carefully dress, put makeup on, and style my hair before heading out. By the time I arrived at the office, I looked like a clown that had survived a dunk tank. Despite all my efforts (a large umbrella and my jacket hood), my makeup was smeared, my outfit was soaked, and my hair had both flattened and frizzed. What a winning combination! Eventually, I started keeping a blow dryer in my desk and would dry my hair and clothes in the bathroom, which made for some interesting conversations. “Don’t mind me! I’m just drying something. I assure you, I’m a professional!”
I didn’t enjoy the rain when I was a kid, either. I hated wearing wet shoes and soggy clothes all day. My school had “inside days” but only when a deluge was biblical. During lunch, the teachers would retreat to the lounge, and the student body would run feral in the classrooms. Inside days never ended well for anyone. Lunches were smeared onto chalkboards, books were thrown at ceilings, and one kid infamously flushed his shoe down the toilet (good luck explaining that one to his parents!)
Andy and Molly have no compunction about rain, temperature, or dirt. They’d be outside in their bathing suits right now, splashing in icy mud puddles if they could! And of course, my objections fall on deaf ears: “don’t sit in that puddle! Stop filling your boots with water! Get that mud pie out of your pocket!” They are both filthy, and I am annoyed. I try to remind myself that childhood is for exploring, learning, and experiencing, but it’s hard for me to live in the moment because I think of all the moments I’ll waste cleaning up after them! Rinsing dirt and mud off their jackets isn’t how I want to spend my time. Perhaps after their next rainy day adventure, I’ll walk them through an automatic car wash – maybe then they’ll get clean!
