I have a reputation, and I have let everyone down.It seems an apology is in order. My family started pointing out my failing a couple weeks ago, but when a priest came out and mentioned it to me last night it really hit home.
I'm sorry, it is all my fault.
I am responsible for the lack of "spring" in these parts.
Some of you know why, and can have your chuckle; I promise- I will work on the weather. The rest of you who think I am off my rocker can read on.
It started innocently enough, in 2000. June 21st, to be exact. Tim and I were planning a 15th wedding anniversary party for that weekend, complete with renewal of our vows and about 50 people at the house. My father-in-law, Charles, had been visiting us for a few weeks and had decided to extend his stay to be with us for the party.
June 21st was a Wednesday; Tim and I walked out the front door to do a walk-around and plan the yard work we needed to accomplish for the party on the 24th. Our home faces north, so the front elevation doesn't get a lot of light. Because of that, my daylilies in the front beds don't bloom until well into July. Knowing I wouldn't have time to plant any color for the front of the house, I looked at my lily plants and announced loudly to all of them, " Saturday. I need you all open on Saturday." Tim laughed.
Friday, Tim had to go into the office and I had lots to do. I got up early and ran down to the Lowe's to pick up a few things.While I was in line, Jennifer (all of 11 years old) called my cell phone and told me that there was blood all over the bathroom and Grandpa was in his room, covered in blood. To this day, I admire her levelheadedness at what must have been a terrifying sight for her young eyes. Chalres was admitted to St. Rita's and I spent the better part of the rest of the day with him. I knew he wouldn't be out for the party; that really upset me for two reasons. First, he had changed his plans to be there. Second, when his wife was alive, he wouldn't renew their vows, saying " once is all it takes." I knew it was because he was a softy...but I was really honored that he wanted to be there with us, given his feelings on the subject.
It was a long night; I went to the grocery and started cutting up all the fruits and veggies for the party the next day. At some point, my garbage disposal blew up.
Yes. Blew up. If you have never had it happen, oh it is quite a treat! All the stuff you put down it ends up spewed all over the inside of your under-sink cabinet, in all its ripe nastiness. Never pleasant, and especially not when you are hosting a party in a few hours. I eventually gave up and went to bed, around 3 am.
A few hours later, my mom and friend Nancy (God rest her soul) arrived early. God love them! They both liked cleaning- and their work was cut out for them. I called Fr. Mike and asked him to meet us at the hospital. We would renew our vows there so Charles could be a part of it.
When Tim and I left for the hospital, I looked at the front of the house. The daylilies were in bloom. Every. Last. One. We were stunned. Renewing our vows privately was a good idea; Tim, Fr. Mike, Charles and I were all in tears. We got it out of our systems.
When we got home, the house was in better shape, and a couple other friends were there to help with food preparation. The party was supposed to be a picnic- I had even hired Chris (God rest his soul), the teen nephew of a neighbor to act as lifeguard so the kids could play in the pool and the adults could be adults. The weather was threatening not to cooperate. We had our ceremony. My dad finally got to "walk me down the aisle," and our children were our attendants. Emily Rose (all of 26 months) was my bouquet when she spooked at all the people. We started the cookout under gathering grey clouds. My mom wanted to move everything inside; I refused. This party was staying outdoors.
Several times, we felt a few spits of rain, but I looked up and scowled, "Oh, no! You are NOT going to rain on us." And it stopped. Around 9 pm, the last of the company who was leaving left. The weather had held.
Suddenly, the heavens opened and a deluge of biblical proportions began. Tammy was headed north on 75 and had to pull over because she couldn't see the road. The roof of our sun room began to leak profusely. It rained so much that our pool overflowed.
But it didn't rain on our anniversary party.
The following week was Tim's 20th reunion. Friday night was at a bar on Bagley Rd. They have a covered patio, but we were chased inside by a downpour. The next day was supposed to be a family picnic- with an 80% chance of rain. You read that correctly- 80%. Tim said, "Don't worry- Irene will take care of it."
At the picnic, it was like the party: it would sprinkle, I would look up and say, "No," and it would stop. It happened a few times and got to be rather funny. The picnic beat the weather.
That's is how it started, and my family has never forgotten it.
I get requests for snow days, nice weather for weddings and parish festivals (from more than one parish), nice weather (not too warm, no rain, light wind) for Positive Addiction and half-marathons. When Robert's 8th grade class went to DC, the forecast was for rain all week. I began praying about it. It DID rain- but only when they were inside! One of the LCC teachers was lamenting a poor forecast for an outdoor event and Steven told him, "I'll tell my mom. She'll take care of it for you." He did. I did. The teacher was floored- and has sent other requests my way. One Angel Food weekend, we saw a massive storm front moving toward Lima, scheduled to hit around 4am- right when we would be outside unloading the truck. When I got up at 3:30am, I checked the radar and woke up Tim to see it: the storm had split in two and went around Lima! All three of the DC trips I planned for my 7th and 8th graders for the March for Life had perfect, warm weather. In January. Seriously, We had our coats off.
And while I was writing this, Robert sent me a text: he wants clear skies tonight for the Lyrid meteor shower.
I will not claim a perfect record, but my record is impressive enough that my family has decided that if I make it to heaven, I will be the patron saint of weather requests.
Taking the blame for bad weather comes with the territory, however. When the weather outside is frightful, the children (most of whom are now adults) will ask if I am feeling OK, or if I am upset about something.
And that is the reason for this post: I am sorry.
I have been very distracted lately, lots on my plate. And my prayer life hasn't been what it should be... I have been slacking. I have come to realize over the years of this weather phenomenon that it is one of those Easter eggs God throws me to let me know he is still here, and he is in control. Even though we laugh about it and my family has dubbed me "Mother Nature," we all know- it is the Lord at work.
FOUR TIMES yesterday, my kids- and my husband- complained, "Will you PLEASE do something about this weather?" Then I hear it from a priest, "Can't you do something about this weather?"
OK. Message received. I am feeling kind of funky today, so I can't promise anything for the rest of the week. But Mother Nature is back on the job. Give me a few days and I promise- spring will be here!
Update: I took this photo June 24, 2013. The same day as we held that party in 2000. Note there are no buds! One plant does have a single bloom and several buds. But the day of that party they were all in bloom!
