"Rain Is Good! Rain Is Good!" I chanted as I made my way around
the dining room of our "Senior Living" here on Long Island. The rain
had just begun and the predictable moans and groans could be heard
throughout.
"What's so 'good' about it?" called out Susan, one of the most outspoken
'NAGS' (my name for the Negative and 'Grouchys' among us)
"Well, to begin, our growing food needs it, fruits and vegetables, our trees
and bushes, flowers..."
" Our animals," called out Norma, " farm animals, our forest animals like
deer, even worms need it..."
"Ha ha" laughed Susan ," and when was the last time any of you even
saw a deer. We're city people."
"That's true" I said. And rain cools our city streets in the summer heat..."
I was getting impatient with her negativism, Don't you ever have anything
positive to say? I wanted to ask her but I knew better than to tangle
with her type. "And let me add that the rain washes snow away in the
streets, sidewalks, steps..."
Susan stood up and waved her arms; That's right" she shouted, "but I love
the snow. It's so pretty as it glistens and gleams in the sunlight and in the
moonlight, and then that darned rain comes along and turns it all to mush!"
I was stunned. Here she was liking...(loving) something that most
Seniors did not like and in some ways dreaded. It was at the least
inconvenient but especially risky for us to be walking on it.
A slip could mean months in the hospital with a broken hip, or knee,
or even a toe. But Susan saw the beauty of the white glistening snow
in the 'sunlight and in the moonlight'.
When our lunchtime was over I felt the need to tell her how surprised and
pleased I was that she expressed positive feelings which was so unlike
her .But I hesitated before I spoke, unsure of what her reaction to my
words would be, " I hope that now you'll have a more positive outlook on
everything, " I said, smiling.
She had no hesitation , she just blurted out , "And I hope that you have a less
positive outlook! You're so cheerful... especially early in the morning...before
I've had my coffee for Pete's sake! Sometimes you even sing", she
she added, almost gagging as she said it.
This brought some applause from the room and a lot of discussion pro
and con on the subject. Suggestions came pouring in; " How about if the
'negative' types and 'positive' types use separate rooms to gather in, Susan's
will use the sitting room with the fireplace and the windows which are
hidden by heavy brocade drapes, and can complain and nag to their hearts content.
Our group can meet in the game room with the curtains opened wide to let
us view the sun and the rain, we welcome them both."
" WAIT A MINUTE!" exclaimed Susan. "I can't let you think that I don't care
about our carrots, our apples, our cows and our worms. I do care. And by
way, I have to admit it, the smell of rain on the grass is delicious."
With that the room burst into hearty applause.
"But" she continued, "why does it have to rain in the afternoon?"I want it
to rain at night between 10 and 7... when we're sleeping!"
"Oh no, " called out Pauline from the rear of the room, " 10 o'clock is too
early. Don't let the rain start until 11. And never on Friday or Saturday nights."
"And I'm out on Wednesdays" said Susan.
"OKAY, " I said , "I'll ask the Big Man upstairs. In the meanwhile let's keep a
smile in our hearts for whatever comes our way.
THE END
CHANGE? ADAPT? REMAIN THE SAME?
