A Rainy Day

Fun for the Ages

A Rainy Day

The rain pit-pattered against the large picture window as Jackson and Mindy Wilson, 8 and 7, watched it come down. The puddles on the street were getting deeper and wider because the drainage was clogged.

“Sure would be fun to go outside today and play in this,” Mindy said.

“Yeah, but Mom probably won’t let us. We’ll get too wet, catch a cold, or some other reason. There’s always a reason.”

“But what are we gonna do in here all day, Jackson?”

“You could ask me,” their mom said.

Mindy and Jackson turned around quickly.

“Can we? Can we please go outside, Mommy?” asked Mindy.

Mrs. Wilson squinted at the rain and nodded slowly.

“We promise we won’t jump in the mud or the puddles or…”

“Why would you promise that, Mindy? I know you’re gonna do that anyhow so I’ve got an idea but I need your help first. Plus, we get to do some crafts before you go out. It’s supposed to rain all day.”

“Yes, yes, sure, we’ll help,” Jackson said. “What is it?”

Their mother pulled out a poster board, a yard stick, letter stencils, and some magic markers. She outlined the lettering and said, “Okay, fill in the letters with dark markers. Nothing light colored. No yellows or pinks, just dark.”

An hour later, the kids were outside at the curb holding up the sign, jumping up and down as cars passed.

Mrs. Wilson held her newborn and talked to her as she monitored the kids at the curb. She could think of a dozen reasons why they shouldn’t be out there by themselves in the rain, but it was July in Texas, and they hadn’t seen steady rain in weeks.

The rain drenched the kids but the puddle water washed over them like a wave when cars passed. With rare exception, the cars sped up to provide the Wilson kids with pure and free Summer fun. After all, the drivers were only bidding the wishes of the two words on the poster board sign: SPLASH US!

The memory would last much longer than the Summer, much much longer.