Sunshine after the Rain

Some things are so difficult to put into words that you aren't sure if you'll ever be ready to share them. Other things roll off the tongue like raindrops off a freshly waxed car.

These words are more apt to roll like teardrops down a cheek, but they're spoken in the sunshine after the rain.

My beautiful mother loved rainbows. As I looked through her jewelry box when I was little and though all things sparkly were beautiful, I would stop and gaze at her rainbow pins. One was a heart with her nickname and a rainbow on it. I can't remember her wearing it now, but then she had never liked anyone but close friends and family to call her by her nickname.

Another was an enameled rainbow with clouds at either end, reminding me of a bridge for my favorite cartoon character at the time, Rainbow Brite. My handy-with-a-needle mother had made me a beautiful doll to match my Rainbow Brite books and dish set from "Monkey Wards." My daughter has enjoyed reading those same books, and although the dish set has long been lost to yard sales or the childhood sandbox, the doll is still reverently held, testament to the careful stitches of Mama's hands.

The final one was my favorite. I loved when she would pin the "Noah's Ark" rainbow on her navy blue sweater with the rainbow neckline. The blue brought out her eyes, and the rainbows brought a smile to both our faces. Even without pictures, I think I'll always remember how she sparkled when I told her how beautiful she was, as only an adoring child can see their mother.

That loving memory came back to me on the day we laid her to her final rest. The sun tried fitfully to force its way through the clouds scudding heavily over the sky, and the wind whipped us from time to time as we spoke of a life cut short by illness, so full of love and hope and the promise of fulfillment through her children and grandchildren after her. Raindrops fell, and tears fell. Hugs and kind thoughts passed around the mourners. After all had slowly meandered away from the graveside, we silently said our parting thoughts and left ourselves for more family gatherings, a way of gathering strength and hope in the face of loss. Then we finally prepared to head home and bring the day to a close.

Before getting into the car with the kids, I happened to look up at the sky, which was still loosing scattered drops every now and again. Blue sky was peeking from behind the clouds as they passed, and my heart swelled as I saw a perfect rainbow seated above the pillow of clouds. My husband and I exchanged a look of understanding and peace. It was as though somehow my mother had found a way to paint a message across the sky for us...a message of hope, love, and fond memories.