It rained all night last night and was raining this AM when we took off for Plimouth Plantation.  The rain varied between sprinkles and straight sheets as we traversed the highway.  We pulled into the PP parking lot and lo and behold- the rain stopped, just like that.  We got out and toured the whole attraction though it was somewhat strenuous for Dad with alot of hills, rocks and stairs – he muddled through and completed the course.  As we rounded the last bend to the exit, ta light sprinkle began and by the time we got to the car, it was a full fledged rainstorm.  Seeking shelter in our vehicle, we decided to go on to Plymouth Rock and Mayflower II replica, thinking we could do somewhat of a drive-by.  Again, sheets of rain fell and we lamented that it would likely be a bust, but forged on with the plan.  Guess what?  As we pulled into the handicap spot near Plymouth Rock, the rain stopped abruptly and stayed at bay long enough for us to see both sights and to eat lunch – our first-ever lobster roll – yum!

We had planned to go to the end of Cape Cod next and so we got back in the car and as we rolled out of Plymouth…you guessed it, the sky opened up and we could barely see out of the windows.  Well. we thought about turning back, but this was our last day in the area, so we thought at least we would get there and turn around, just to say we had been there. The rain pelted us for almost 70 miles and then, as we approached Provincetown (at the end of the cape), it started to ease.  By the time we parked, the sun was shining in a blue sky with the storm clouds drifting past it as if to open a gate of beauty before us.  Gulls soared and Egrets stood in the shallows with a stately profile.  The sand dunes glistened gold and the water hit the shore with a white foam.  We drove out to Race Point Beach and I walked down on the sand and put my back to the wind and surf and gazed up at the bluffs behind me.  As I looked down at my feet, a small heart-shaped rock appeared on top of the sand and I picked it up and took it up to the van and gave it to Dad and told him that I loved him.

Now, you can believe what you want – it may have been coincidence or sheer luck – but I choose to believe that my mother is up with God and shed tears of sorrow that she is no longer with us yet asked God to shine his light upon us to give us joy, peace, love and hope.  That rock was put there by her, for me to find it and give it to my Dad.  That is my story and I am sticking to it!

So, our word(s) for the day are “Despite occasional sorrows and rain in your life, behind every  storm cloud the sun is waiting to shine down upon you with joy, peace, love and hope.  Look for It.”