A Beautiful Day

I woke early to finish the cooking and cleaning and looked out the window.  The ground was damp; the paving stones on the patio left unprotected by the tent were a darker shade than the rest.  Yesterday's hot, sunny weather had done much to dry out the sodden ground, but we needed just a bit more of it to firm up the ground.  I looked in despair, thinking of the forecast -- 85 degrees with "a chance of a thunderstorm in spots" -- identical to the forecasts that had seen inches of rain fall over the last week.  But there was too much to do still to linger over doubts about the weather.
As the moring wore on, and the food was prepared, the decorating finished, the guests of honor making their own final preparations, the sun slowly made an appearance, beating down on the wet grass and drying it.  Before long, the temperature was up in the 80's, guests were arriving and the day was beautiful.  We hustled and bustled getting food and drinks out, entertaining the guests, setting presents aside for later opening and playing baby shower games.  The kids (about 20 of them) frolicked and chased and played catch.  They sucked on lollipops and cupcakes, consumed some real food (though in vastly smaller quantities than the adults) and ooohed and ahhhed over all of the gifts.

And just as the guests were gathering their belongings and take-home containers of food; just as they were saying their lingering good-byes and best-wishes, a sudden downpour sent them scurrying for their cars.  Those of us who stayed huddled under the four tents in the center of the yard, waiting out the storm.  Ten minutes later it was over, the air considerably cooler, and the close family that remained did a quick cleanup. 

When it was all over, the mommy- and daddy-to-be sat in our dining room chatting and basking in the glow of love given and received.  The party was a resounding success and Mother nature did her part. 

Much later, around ten that night, a rumbling thunderstorm passed through, complete with lightning and soaking rain.  But I smiled, not caring, and enjoying the sounds and the cool breeze that cooled the house.