June 4^th. An odd day for rain, but there it was, falling as if it were December, making the world cold and wet and gray when everyone had expected – nay, demanded – sun and warmth.  The complaints blew through as steadily and sharply as the storm. “What the hell? Rain in June?” “This sucks.” “I’m going to get all wet.” “I just got my car washed.” “I’m never going to get a tan in time for swim season.” “It was so nice yesterday.” “I hate being cold.”  And that was just me.

Umbrella in hand and gritting my teeth against the cold, I crossed the field to pick Kimiko up from school.  After our requisite exchange of greetings and inquiries into the quality of our days, she peered from beneath the rim of her ever-present hat and said, “You know what I want for a treat today?”

“What?” I asked.

“Hot cocoa, with marshmallows and whipped cream.  And we should get our TV buddies (the stuffed animals we bought together at Fanime) and watch The Simpsons,” she replied, as the raindrops tap-tapped on her hat, slowly and steadily drenching it and her. She hardly seemed to notice.

“It is perfect weather for it, isn’t it?” I replied.

I put away my umbrella, looked up at the gray above, and let the rain dapple my dry cheeks. It felt nice. Even in June.

Kimiko and I got all wet walking to the car that I just had washed and drove home. We curled up on the couch with our TV buddies, sipped hot cocoa with marshmallows and whipped cream, and completely forgot how nice it was yesterday or how it was supposed to be spring. I had a wonderful time.

Sometimes, when you accept the rain, you get your sunny day.