I Survived!

I've just finished crawling out from under a mountain of wet laundry, tents and sleeping bags. Like with every other camping trip, it rained the night before we were to come home. Why is it that I forget about the rain after a trip? It is kind of like how mothers 'forget' the pain of labour and do it all again. It isn't until you are into a heavy contraction that you say to yourself, "What on earth was I thinking!?"

The rain that showered us this trip cannot be described as a gentle sprinkle, a good soaking or a persistent downpour. I could have handled any of those. This rain was unlike anything I have ever experienced. It seemed intent to infiltrate every available space. Our industrial strength tarp was no match for this rain; it may as well have been tissue paper for all the refuge it provided. Rain spilled out from our camping barbeque and overflowed the fire-pit. Add to all of that, the most potent electrical storm I've ever witnessed. A non-stop light and thunder show for over 4 hours.

Do you know what the real phenomenon is though? It's not the severity of the storm. My children slept through it!!!! Let me explain why this is so shocking: My youngest is not known for sleeping. IF he goes through the night without waking, it is as close to miraculous as can be. My oldest wakes at the slightest of noises and remains so until morning. But, they slept through a thunderstorm that will most likely go down into the camping history books. It is not up to me to ask why. I will just remain forever thankful that they did sleep through it all. It's kind of like the rainbow at the end of the rain.