Rain and cold

When my sister planned Red-haired Niece’s college graduation party, she pictured a sunny May afternoon, all of us sitting outside in the backyard eating and talking, perhaps even getting tanned. Instead, temperatures today were in the forties, with rain and a cold north wind.

We all crammed into the house, filling every room, juggling plates of food, talking and joking. The gang of teenage musicians piled their instruments and amps into one room for a long jam session. Some folks hovered in the kitchen, close to the trays and bowls of food crammed onto the counter. Some of us played musical chairs in the living room, grabbing the empty seat any time someone got up to go get more food.

When the rain stopped, we went outside for a fire, huddling close to the flames for warmth. When we went back inside for another round of eating, the warmth made everyone sleepy, and soon bodies were draped all about the furniture, in the way that people sit when they are relaxed and comfortable and full of good food. A good party, despite the weather.