I called because ...

Yesterday afternoon ( and maybe even night) it rained. This morning, it is grey, cool and wet. I guess we can safely and hopefully say that rainy season is here. I've always preferred rainy season to dry season: the lush greens, the nourishment of nature, the cooler weather, the slowing down of life ... perhaps similar (in a tropical way) to how people slow down and go within for winter.

Yesterday evening my cellular phone rang. It was a recently made friend. I had been meaning to call her for a few days, to ask her to sing for an upcoming concert, but kept forgetting. When I realised who it was, I said: "Good thing you called. I was supposed to call you and I forgot." We briefly discussed the performance, then spoke about a few other things in life.

The topic of rainy vs dry season came up. When I said that I preferred rainy season, she said: "I love dry season." She described the starkness of the brown, like a desert ... yet, in contrast, everywhere, the many different kinds and colours of flowers in bloom. Whereas, in rainy season, everything was "just green".

Even though I do notice the many flowers, I had never really looked at dry season in the way she described it - as being so beautiful. Usually I mainly see the dry earth, brown grass and brown, burning hills, think it all looks somewhat painful and can't wait for everything to be green and cool again. But her description gave me a whole new appreciation of the dryness.

As our conversation came to a close, she said: "But anyway ... that's not why I called. I called because it's such a lovely rainy afternoon and I can see a thick mist rolling over the hills." She proceeded to describe the beautiful rainy afternoon scene she was seeing and said: "I couldn't think of anyone else to call and share this with who would appreciate it as much."

What a great reason to call. So simple, meaningful and insightful. I felt like I had been given a gift.