do go chasing rainbows

If nothing else, summer is short...

 ...so, when the evening is warm, the thunder and lightning and rain have passed...
 
...and the light out there is just right...
 
 ...why not head out into the wide open field...

...a-la-hoop?...

 
...and then when the sky opens up revealing a full-blown arc and they ask if they can go get a shovel and run to the end of the rainbow to dig for gold, through the field and the fence, and on through the neighbor's field across to the trees a quarter mile or so away...
 
...you might say, "No." for any number of reasons:

"It's already past your bedtime.",

"You'll get soaked through to the skin by the next round of clouds.",

"The fencing is barbed wire.",

"This is Montana and that is technically trespassing.",

"It's wet and marshy between here and there.",

"What about bears?",

not to mention, "You'll never reach the end of the rainbow."

but you don't,

instead finding yourself saying, "Sure.  Why not?"

yet, half-way expecting they'll turn back as soon as they reach the fenceline anyways...

 
...but they don't...

...and you drop your hoop and follow, now lagging far behind, through fencelines and marshy wet spots, trespassing through fields of grass and gone-to-seed pepperweed and blooming mustard weeds to just this side of the trees, until you can just barely catch a glimpse of them there when you slow down to zoom way in, standing right there, under what looks to be where the rainbow's end falls (can you see them there?!)...

...but it isn't, because the rainbow has moved on of course, and when you catch up with them they want to continue 0n and so you do too, into the woods until you reach the irrigation ditch which is too deep and fast and cold to ford, coming straight out of the mountains as it does...

 
...but you're glad you're here because you've been meaning to take them up here for some time to show them this  (by means of public forest service lands) except you keep forgetting about it or finding yourselves too busy to do so, and so instead here you are now, walking along the ditch, still following that rainbow...
 
...but now you're all starting to get a little chilled because the sun is setting and you really are pretty well soaked by another wave of rain that's passed through as well as all the wet grass and water you've been traipsing through...
 
...and so, even with that rainbow still taunting you from behind the hills, you all decide to turn back by way of the road, past where they're working putting in a new bridge (another thing you've been meaning to do but haven't:  go sit by the river and watch the work being done here)...
 
...alongside the field you've just crossed...
 
...with goosebumps, treasure (not gold) in your hands, and pink in your cheeks...
 
...towards home...

... for a quick, warming cup of hot cocoa before bedtime...

...with a story of your adventures to share with Papa who somehow missed all this and was probably wondering what on earth you all could be up to...

... and glad for not having said "No" followed by any number of excuses....

Comments

[Lynn in Tucson]

"No" is too easy sometimes. I'm making an effort to say "yes" more often.

[Mandy]

What an adventure. I will do my best not to say "no" so quickly today (and everyday). Thanks for the reminder of what magic can be had.

[mayaluna]

thank you a million times for this adventure!

[Dawn]

Wow!! this is one of THE most inspiring posts that I have read in a really really long time. Not because it is deep and thought provoking but because it reaches into the heart and plays right to the very core of us all--- live your life and be a student of what comes next, not a predictor of what "might happen". Thank you for sharing your adventure with us all. . .

[Jolene]

Marvelous. You have very lucky boys. Keep chasing those rainbows...

[Roslyn]

What a beautiful place you live in.

[lucette]

Enchanting!

[Camie]

inspiring - thank you...

[Leslie]

This is a childrens book that adults will enjoy. QUICK! Put it together and send it off.

[hanna]

What a wonderful post! thanks for sharing. And what a beautifu place you ive in - that feild!

[Donna in Ma]

What fun! Thanks for taking me along!

[mommaloo]

Thank you so much for the reminder...summer is here in Portland and I have been chanting "yes, yes, yes" to so many things - an amazing gift for a momma who sometimes forgets how much more important it is to play than fold the laundry or clean the kitchen.

[ani]

i need to remember this. thank you!

[Diane]

I'll chime in to say what everyone else has said: thanks. GREAT post. Very well written and photgraphed--very artistic/beautiful/creative. Worthy of reading in a book that I'd pay money for. Could be a story for a children's picture book...
:-)
Diane L. Bloomington,IN.

[Charlotte Marjoribanks]

That is a very beautiful story! Hope when I have children of my own I will remember this post and say 'yes' every now and again.

[Karen]

I have the following quote pinned to my filing cabinet: "The work won't run away from you when you show your child the reainbow The rainbow won't wait till you're done with the work." Wonderful post. Thank you. My problem would be having the camera ready however.

[Rose]

You know, that could be a children's book, you told it so well. Good for you, having your priorities in just the right order!!

[Leah]

Could you please adopt me?

[Becky]

What a wonderful adventure for your two little ones and yourself. How very sweet!

[melissab.]

love this!! yes, a perfect story for children of all ages:)

[Dorit]

What an AMAZINGLY beautiful story! This evoked so much imagery in my head. Nature has its own a-la-hoop ring (the rainbow) and your swirling around in the middle of it. So well written and great pictures, love the intensity in their faces!

[kate]

I can't tell you how much I love this post. Every single word of it. Enchanting.

And a great reminder to say "Yes!" more often. Thank you.

[Karen]

Loved this. Made me feel like a child again!

[Melissa V.O.]

Excellent and very touching! Have you ever encountered bears?

[Jennifer]

Thank you for sharing this adventure!