Ducks in the Rain

The other day I was babysitting these twins that I babysit every Saturday, and it was raining. And hard. Naturally, the kids wanted to run around outside and play, despite the fact it was wet and freezing. Thinking only of the paycheck I would receive in the next couple of hours, I agreed to chaperone their playtime outside in the downpour. (As if I had another option). 

We walked to the lake across the street from their house and I was stunned to see a large group of ducks swimming around in the state of the weather. I thought perhaps they were looking around for food, but then it occurred to me that they probably just enjoy being in the rain. And I remembered a time in my own life when I too enjoyed being in the rain. Running around in circles as if I was chasing my own tail, splashing in the puddles, not caring that my clothes were completely drenched. 

For a while, the twins and I just stood silently and watched the ducks. I thought that they were so beautiful and white so I pulled out my cell phone and took this picture. 

According to Sigmund Freud, a body of water represents our subconscious, in a literary sense. I immediately thought of this as I watched the ducks swim happily in the lake. It was like seeing my own mind releasing some kind of internal stress, letting go of a false sense of security. In literary interpretation, rain means catharsis. Rain upon a body of water. Before I knew it, I was running around and splashing in the puddles with my fellow 10-year-old companions. (And I'm not just saying that to make my blog entry sound cooler). It was a minute occurrence, yet one that was necessary for my sanity. 

Although my life is not a piece of literature, it helps to think of it that way. Following the signs around, paying attention to your surroundings, and living your life second at a time is an unexplainable sensation. I felt healed to be reminded of the innocence of playing in the rain and loving each moment for no particular reason. 

I like to think of this picture as a reminder of that day. Next time you feel lost or confused, jump in a lake in the rain.