----- Original Message ----- From: "Carl Haefling" <chaeflin@ix.netcom.com> To: "Monk White" <monk@monkwhite.com> Sent: Monday, July 22, 2002 3:45 PM Subject: Fw: A RUN IN THE RAIN > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <Etrum50@aol.com> > To: <PresquilePoint@aol.com>; <Dpaul602@aol.com>; <Mav738@aol.com>; > <Nannyscampin@aol.com>; <chaeflin@ix.netcom.com>; <JBacksto@aol.com>; > <JoJimG@aol.com>; <chiarel7@aol.com>; <MARH45@aol.com>; <Mtdekj@aol.com>; > <desert54@msn.com> > Sent: Monday, July 22, 2002 12:36 PM > Subject: A RUN IN THE RAIN > > > > > > > > A RUN IN THE RAIN > > > > She had been shopping with her Mom in > > Wal-Mart. She must have been 6 years old, this > > beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of > > innocence. > > It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that > > gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a > > hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the > > spout. > > > > We all stood there under the awning and just > > inside the door of the Wal-Mart. > > We waited, some patiently, others irritated because > > nature messed up their hurried day. I am always > > mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and > > sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. > > > > Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a > > child come pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day. > > > > Her voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic > > trance we were all caught in. > > "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said. > > > > "What?" Mom asked. > > > > "Let's run through the rain!" She repeated. > > > > "No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," > > Mom replied. > > > > This young child waited about another minute > > and repeated: > > "Mom, let's run through the rain." > > > > "We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said. > > > > "No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said > > this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at > > her Mom's arm. > > > > "This morning? When did I say we could run through > > the rain and not get wet?" > > > > "Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you > > said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!" > > > > The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you > > couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood > > silently. No one came or left in the next few > > minutes. > > > > Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. > > Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being > > silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this > > was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A > > time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it > > will bloom into faith. > > > > "Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run > > through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe > > we just needed washing," Mom said. Then off they ran. > > We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they > > darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. > > They held their shopping bags over their heads just in > > case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and > > laughed like children all the way to their cars. > > > > And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed > > washing. > > > > Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can > > take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can > ever > > take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take > the > > opportunities to make memories everyday. > > > > To everything there is a season, and a time to > > every purpose under heaven. > > > > A friend sent this to me to remind me of life. > > Hope you enjoy it. > > > > I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN > > > > * Keep in touch with your friends; you never > > know when you'll need each other > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >