Rain, rain, go away; come again another day.
The first time you heard that rhyme might have been as a small, sad child, watching disappointedly as the rain fell and outdoor play was denied.
You can't blame mom or dad or grandma or grandpa for keeping the door locked when there was a small child trying to negotiate a pathway to the growing bodies of water just beyond the window. Puddles growing wider and deeper, large enough to sail small boats, and maybe even float a small pool toy that could carry a small child to a sailing adventure in a large puddle of water. You know it's been attempted, and your awareness just might come from experience.
You can't blame a parent for wanting to avoid one more clothing change for the day. Keeping a wet and muddy mess out is easier than cleaning up any day, right?
But a lot of us would gladly let the youngest generation in the household carry in as much mud, wet clothes, dirty toys and soaked shoes right now in exchange for a long, soaking rain.
Some areas are unusually dry at this time, according to the National Weather Service, although I didn't need them to verify what is already clear by the condition of the ground and plants. Unfortunately, we live where it is extra dry. Last year, while other areas were parched and cracked, we were blessed with just-in-time rain. It looks like it is our turn to wait for water this year.
So many people never give a second thought to rainfall and if conditions are dry, too dry, or dangerously dry. In the past year, a good friend has taken over the farm and cattle from his uncle as the uncle progressed through end-of-life. Our friend, the mechanic, became a farmer for the first time. This friend never gave two hoots if the soil was wet, dry, or somewhere in between. He didn't have a rain gauge at his house, but he did have a weather rock. If the rock was wet, then yes, it was raining outside. Do I need to explain the forecast if the rock was dry? Mr. Berens made the condolence call after his uncle passed this week. I'd expect said friend to start the conversation with the usual reflections on his uncle's life. "Yea, he was a great guy, my favorite uncle. We did some fun stuff together." Or maybe something like "Thanks for the condolences, I'll really miss him."
Nope. First words he said. "Man, we sure need rain."
For the record, he eventually got around to his dead uncle.
He finally had a reason to notice when, where and how much water the clouds are releasing into what are now his pastures. He now understands intimately that hay costs more than pasture and it puts on the squeeze when you're forced to feed the winter stockpile long before snow flies and winds howl.
Joking aside, we could all use a long, soaking shower to give the crops and soil that bump it needs right now. We don't want the rain to break up and go away before it hits the locations where it's most needed. Rain, rain, please don't go away. We need you.
Let's all combine efforts in praying for rain. Some churches are hosting purposeful prayer events for rain, but you don't have to join a prayer meeting to ask the Good Lord to provide a substantive drink to our crops. Thank him for his provision, trust that it will come and that he will provide.
Bev Berens is a freelance writer and empty nester from Vestaburg, Mich. She can be contacted at uphillfarm494@yahoo.com.