July 2, 2012

White Dog came running in to announce the sweep of cold air that pushed into town. As she told us we could hear and feel the shifting wind and were pulled out to the front steps.

Dark clouds had drawn together and as the WDA stood around me we felt the first tingle of rain! And that is how Steve found us as he pulled into the drive...huddled together, faces all turned upward, feeling the wetness striking and rolling down.

"Isn't the smell incredible?" I asked him as we all inhaled deeply, pulling the scent of rain, one of the most wonderful smells of the desert, deep into our lungs. Quinn looked down the block and leaned against us to get our attention. Up and down the neighborhood people were coming outside to breathe deeply and feel the reality of our long prayed for rain.

It began to rain harder and we inched onto the sunporch, none of us willing to go inside for fear the soaking drops would stop. We pushed together and petted each other in congratulations and felt a bit giddy as the sound of the drops hitting the leaves and the roof pulsed a life beat.

As if of one mind, we touched again as Steve said, "I hope it is raining in Colorado and those other places on fire. Hard enough to make a difference." I knew the WDA was sending a special request for the animals and wildlife in need.

It kept raining and did not stop in 5 minutes like a typical New Mexican storm. But soon the lightning appeared and the WDA got a bit restless to be safely inside. In we filed, thoughts now turned to dinner but not forgetting to whisper a grateful, "thank you."