It is late on a Friday afternoon and old snow covers the ground. It is raining and because of the cloud cover, it is also dark. I cannot see the rain, but I can feel it. I am in my uncle’s driveway playing with his one-year-old German Shepherd, Duke, and the rain continues to fall. Duke does not mind the rain, and neither do I, so we continue dancing and watching as the rain soaks the pavement and the snow. Soon a bright flash lights up the clouds, turning them a pinkish purple. I stop what I was doing and I notice Duke has too.

Lightning, always so unexpected, demands and receives complete attention from those who are witness to its power. I can feel adrenaline rushing through my body, and I know what is coming next as the rhythm of the rain picks up. Sure enough, I hear that deep ominous roar of thunder ripple across the dark cloudy sky. I look up, in total awe of one of nature’s most captivating phenomenon, not caring that the rain drenches my face; and I am taken me back to a time on the lacrosse field when I disliked this rain with a passion.

It is a Tuesday and I am a senior in high school, enjoying one of my last lacrosse practices when it comes. The perpetual onslaughts of cold, wet pellets begin their assault as I groan in disgust and wince at the sudden chill I receive with every vile drop that tries to besiege me. I despise these dreadfully menacing droplets as they fall from their fortress in the sky to prey on us; piercing our skin and stripping us, wet and raw, right down to the bone. I hate this mean rain deeply, but soon made my peace with it as my eyes and soul were awakened to a new perspective on rain.

On that cold, wet, dreary day at lacrosse practice, I suddenly realized that rain has a very special, unique purpose: Rain gives life and helps things grow. Without rain, we would have no trees, no spring season, no green grass, no crops, no fruit, and no vegetables. The list never ends, but the reality of rain is without it, everything on land would cease to be. Amazed at one of nature’s most vital gifts, I became indebted to the rain.

With this newfound understanding of rain, I have developed a boundless appreciation of the importance, freshness, and vitality of every single raindrop that falls from the sky above our heads. And in my uncle’s driveway, I embrace the rain with a smile that warms my entire being.