Reflecting on a Rainy Day

Spring in Northern Michigan means rain. And when you live on an island with no cars, you must dress for the weather. I'm an avid thrifter, so you can imagine my excitement when I found that amazing yellow sow wester hat at one of my favorite thrift shops this winter for $1.00. It fits my son perfectly and he was quite pleased with it. So this morning we walked to the sitter's house in the rain. No bike cart for us today - just rain coats, pants, hats, boots and umbrellas (or rainbrellas as my daughter calls them.)

The entire way I was thinking about my son and how much he's grown this year. Today was his last day of school; the last day of his first year of preschool. Of course he is the same little person he was nine months ago, yet he's different, too. Over the course of the year he has learned to write his name, to identify letters and sounds, to sing a zillion songs, and to be a better listener. I love the little man he is growing into. I love how he usually remembers to say "please" and "thank you" without being prompted, how he always wants me to rock him in my arms before he goes to sleep, that he can remember the words to most of the songs he hears, and how he greets each new day with excitement. Even the simple little things in life, like walking in the rain wearing a big yellow hat, make him smile. If only it were that simple for all of us...