It's amazing what a good rainfall can do to you.
And frankly, what it can also do *for* you.
A few nights ago, I found myself staying up very late (what else is new?) and watching some TV. Nothing was particularly interesting on the ole boob tube on this evening and so my head wandered. I happened to catch a glimpse out my bedroom window down the hall and noticed droplets of water.
'It's raining?', I thought to myself.
I hadn't even noticed it. With it being nighttime, as well as the one-two combination of the balcony doors being closed and a fan always on in the summertime, I hadn't really bothered to look or listen outside to see or hear what was going on.
When I opened the door, I was pleasantly surprised to see a nice hearty downpour taking place, washing over the town of Outlook.
I didn't even remember rain being in the forecast that night, but that's kind of the beauty or the mystery of summer weather in Saskatchewan, isn't it? It might be calling for sunshine, and then you'll see the storm clouds rolling in, and vice versa.
Something about this particular rainfall on this particular night just spoke to me in some fashion, so I kept the balcony door open, turned off the TV, and just sat in my living room, now clouded in complete darkness and listened to the consistent pattern of rain dropping down and soaking the streets, alleys, avenues, and everywhere else around town.
There was just something soothing about it, to the point of being almost hypnotic.
Soon enough, my mind started to wander, and I don't even know why I was drawn to the subject, but I started to think about moments in my life that are now nothing but faded memories.
I was then reminded of how it seems that life is jetting by all of us too damn fast.
Care for an example? Well, here's one for ya.
Remember that glorious year of 2020 and the whole 'COVID Era' we all had to endure and make the most out of?
Any kids who were born that year will now be starting Kindergarten this fall.
Yep, the 'COVID Generation' is growing up and now heading off to school.
I actually had to look at my hand and count to five to remind myself that, yes sir, it's been five years since the world was turned upside down and we all had to make the best of it. And evidently, some of you, well....decided to boost the local population numbers in the process.
Hope your kids enjoy their debut in their local schools!
Indeed, life goes by quick.
But I sat there listening to the pitter patter of that rainfall and thought about some of the memories of my own childhood. Again, I don't really know why, but it made me think of these same kind of rainy nights when I was growing up in Conquest; it'd be raining outside, but my brothers and I didn't care because we'd be downstairs, covered in blankets on the floor, with the big box fan blowing, and we'd be getting ready to watch Kids in the Hall and the Golden Girls on CBC, also known as their "Friday Late Night lineup".
I'm finding that I miss those simple times from when we were kids more and more as I get older. I was a Conquest kid who lived in a protective bubble, just the same as many other kids who grew up in other smaller towns like Dinsmore, Milden, Macrorie, Birsay, Lucky Lake, and Beechy. All I ever had to worry about was getting my homework done, making sure that allowance money kept rolling in, and coming up with ways for my friends and I to spend our Friday and Saturday nights.
That old saying is right on the money; it truly was a simpler time.
There weren't things like heartache and depression just yet, or trying to find your footing in this crazy world that seems to get bigger and more confusing and unforgiving, or the cold reality that comes with thinking about this time in your life while knowing that so much has changed, so much has gone away, so many family members have passed, and the world has transformed itself upside down since that much simpler time in your life from literally decades ago.
Your parents are gone. Your childhood home has been sold. Your cherished memories are just simply that - memories. Your life is wholly different from the time when you were growing up and surrounded by family and friends.
I just find that I sometimes miss the world I lived in when I was 9 years old.
I mean, doesn't everyone...?
Sometimes, we could all use one of those rainy nights where we just sit back and remember.
For this week, that's been the Ruttle Report.
