Blissful Rainy Park Days

My husband was going to be gone for bedtime, so I knew I had to get the kids out of the apartment before the evening chaos set in. We needed to release some of that endless Energizer Bunny energy.

We got to the park, and my daughter instantly took off her shoes and just ran. My son followed right behind her, and they were off. They climbed, went down the slides, and explored every corner like it was brand new.

Then it started to rain. I watched as most people left the park. I told the kids we would leave if it started raining hard, but it only drizzled.

So I stayed.

And I watched my two kids laugh as they went down the slides in the rain. It was beautiful. As some might say, they were living their best lives. My fearless two-year-old was trying to keep up with the older kids like she was one of them. I watched her face and her reactions. She was pure joy.

As a mom, I’ve learned that a huge part of my role is being a facilitator, someone who creates opportunities. I give my kids room to explore their world while also providing the boundaries that keep them safe. Sometimes that role feels heavy. The worries creep in, and I wonder if I’m doing things right.

Other times, I get to simply watch.

I get to watch them grow, learn, and enjoy the moment.

This was one of those moments. Nothing else mattered except going down the slide. It was simple. And for a little while, my role as a mom felt less like a burden and more like a gift.

I wanted to protect that moment. I wanted to capture it—not just for memory’s sake, but to remind myself to enjoy motherhood.

Motherhood is not easy. The range of emotions in my house, both theirs and mine, is wide. But moments like today help carry me through the rest.

The resentment softens, and I can honestly say that my life is full of joy because of my kids.

I just wish there were a button to hold onto this mentality. I know tomorrow will be another day full of meltdowns. But today was a blissful, rainy park day.