Multitudes on Monday--A Rainy September Day with my Children

I wanted Gabe to bike to church this Sunday so that I could bike too.  He had a meeting that he needed to leave earlier for but I didn't need to go this early so I had him bike ahead of me on his Dad's bike since his needed to be fixed. It was raining off and on all day.  Just a light rain.  None of the thunder and lightning that was predicted as a possibility in the weather forecast.  I didn't know if biking to church was the right thing to do as I didn't want to get caught in the rain and I didn't have a change of clothes and was semi-dressed up/semi casual and riding a bike.  I didn't want Gabe to get caught in the rain either as he also did not have a change of clothes.  But I sent him off and I followed about an hour and a half later and I was so happy to be riding my bike; so happy I took the chance.  The weather was just cool enough and I didn't have to break too much of a sweat, it was overcast so I didn't have to be overpowered by sunshine.  It was a beautiful ride along the busy street past the gas stations, hotels and fast food restaurants;by the river, through the park, up the hill and down the street to church.  It was a good distance 4 or 5 miles so not too long or too short.  When I got to church I was eltated.  Riding my bike usually has that effect on me.  Especially riding my bike to a place where I would normally take my car. 

After church Gabe and I rode home.  It was raining a light rain but a steady light rain.  There we were, mother and son, he let me lead the way though I'm not sure why--he usually goes much faster than me. We both had it in the back of our mind that it would be fun to stop at a coffee shop on a day like today riding our bikes.   We stopped and considered if we should stop at the bagel store that was on the way home.  We did not.  Dad was waiting for us and maybe was making supper.  Gabe had lots of homework to do.  Ahhh but it would have been cozy and grand.  But at least we shared that thought and desire and in that same thought and desire we felt closer together and the mother/son bond was strengthened. 

That evening not too much longer after we arrived home I took my two little children out for a walk while Dad finished making supper and Gabe got started with his homework. We went for a walk up the street to the bridge crossing the rail road tracks.  Down below were yellow flowers and golden rod.  It was raining a gentle rain but more than I would have liked.  Our hair was getting wetter than I thought it was going to get but we had a pleasant time.  We picked up pine cones and yellow leaves on the way there, the kids sometimes holding my hand(s) and sometimes running ahead of me.  It was beautiful to be out on these adventures with my children on a mildly rainy September Day.

I am grateful for:

rainy bike rides with teen aged sons{93}

rainy fall days{94}

rain dripping off the visor of my bike helmet{95}

a teen-aged son who likes the idea of stopping at a coffe shop with his mom{96}

damp jackets{97}

taking chances and not getting drenched{98}

saving money on gas{99}

the swooshing of traffic{100}

making it safely home{101}

stopping to pick up pine cones and yellow fall leaves and taking them  home{102}

damp heads of hair{103}

toddlers running ahead of me{104}

toddlers holding my hand{105}

being anxious to get home out of the rain{106}

sassy four year old girls{107}

a little two year old brother who repeat everything his sister says{108}