The categories and merits of rainy days

Rainy days get a bad rap. It isn’t fair, when you think about it. Warm, sunny days get all the glory. Everyone wants to be out on a sunny day. Nobody complains when the sun is shining and the sky is blue. To be sure, rainy days deserve a more nuanced sort of enjoyment, but they are wonderful days when you know what to look for.

There are so many varieties of rainy day, and rainy days are not all created equal. There are days the sun struggles to shine through the light grey ceiling of soft, low clouds. On these days, the rain comes as a soft, light mist. Birds still sing and the squirrels still scamper about hiding acorns with their tails, as umbrellas, spread above their heads. These are the sort of rainy day to be outside for. The air is warm and the soft rain is cool. The sky is still bright in spite of the thin, grey clouds. There are few occasions as peaceful as a walk through a light grey misty day.

There are days the sky is darkened by tall, poofy, dark clouds that seem to rise for miles. The rain falls in many fat drops that ricochet off the windows and the skylights with a gratifying, gentle patter. Outside, the birds still sing and the squirrels retreat to their homes, their tail umbrellas no match for the fat, heavy raindrops. The air is darker and heavy with the smell of freshness. These days are perfect for bowls hot soup and curling up with a favorite novel. These dark grey days are for writing and reflection and deep thinking- The natural consequences of being sequestered indoors by the persistence of raindrops on the pavement.

There are days the sky is obscured by a dense wall of raincloud. The rain falls all at once and forever. The birds and squirrels stay tucked away in their nests, just like we are, to wait out the downpour. The rain pours off of the roof and splashes down the window panes. Large puddles form at the end of the driveway. These days are for distraction. These days are for blankets and movies and ice cream bars. These days are for building forts out of furniture and for losing track of time as we wait out the soaking storm.

There are days the sky is black and the wind howls. The rain crashes and the thunder roars. Outside, the darkness is broken in instants by jagged bolts and bright flashes as the air carries their rumbling. These are the days for lighting candles and seeking refuge under the warm covers of bed. These are the days for holding a loved one close and the blankets closer. These are the days we huddle in basements and try our hardest to look unafraid.

There is beauty in rainy days. There is happiness to be found on rainy days. They bring renewal and freshness. The smell of moisture in the air and the feeling of damp grass underfoot are wonderful. There are few experiences more relaxing to me than sitting with a good book and listening to the raindrops dancing down the window or more comforting to me than snuggling close to my wife in a thunderstorm. I don’t get these moments on sunny days.

Sunny days are for working. Lawns get mowed, hedges get trimmed, furniture gets moved, trash gets taken out, shopping gets done, cars get washed, dogs get walked. The tempo of life is faster on a sunny day. There’s always somewhere to go and something to do. There’s always somewhere to be. That’s not all bad, of course. Sunny days are also for beach trips and long walks downtown. Sunny days are for eating a sandwich on the patio of your favorite café. Sunny days are for doing.

I love the quiet contemplation of a rainy day, though. I love the slowness and the gentleness. I love watching the horizon as rainclouds roll in over Lake Michigan. I love staying indoors with my thoughts. Nobody expects you to get anything done on a rainy day. They are soft and meditative days.

Rainy days get a bad rap. It isn’t fair, when you think about it. They really are beautiful when you know what you are looking for.