Bring on the Rain

The first major rain of the season is a clear reminder that spring is about to be sprung on us.  It speeds up the melt washing away the dirty piles of snow that remain in patches all over the yard.  It makes the mud that the kids and the dogs bring in on their feet.  With it the smell of the earth renewing itself and the promise of flower beds to be planned and planted. 
The only thing missing this morning was the thunder.  I know I will soon hear that sound and marvel at the enormous booms that have remained elusive during a long winter of snow storms. 
I love the rain.  I grew up with a huge garden in our backyard or rather a yard that was a huge garden thanks to our land lady who not only had a green thumb, but green hands.  Elsie made anything and everything grow and tended to it with a passion I have never been able to embrace when it comes to yard work.  I loved tiptoeing on the cobble stones the smell of clean hanging in the air.  The birds would begin their melodious songs before the last drip drops had fallen.  My sister and I would watch the bugs and worms re-emerge from their garden homes to begin their busy work tending all the flowers that grew in our yard.  In a word: magical.
There were days when the rain would stop and our mom would draw us outside for a  walk in the streets.  All three of us would be barefoot and hit every puddle.  The rain water was clean and warm as the day.  Just me, my sister, and our mom and endless streets of puddles. 
Just another rain storm?  No, another chance to conjure up wonderful memories from a time in my life I love to revisit.  Isn't it crazy how a little rain can brighten your day?