Rainy Day Sendoff
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Hi, I'm Bryan Yeaton and this is The Weather Notebook. How many angels can dance inside a raindrop. Commentator Lorraine Johnson-Coleman has an idea.

Lorraine Johnson-Coleman

"On this day, the rain came down in a soft pretty mist, sprinkling down on us gently, so unlike the harsh down pours of the evening before. Now I would not be able to wear the pretty white shoes mama had gotten for me especially for the day because the mud and grass would surely ruin them. I would have to hold the umbrella carefully too, not going to be easily either, considering there would be so many people standing closely together on a small patch of road listening to Rev. Joyner pray a prayer that would seem to last longer than the whole seven days the Lord took to make the whole world.

I remember that I walked over to the window, watching the rain get heavier and steadier. So preoccupied with the big, heavy drops, I didn't notice I was crying almost as hard. Today, we would bury my favorite auntie, way out there somewhere behind the 'let lones woods' and the old colored church mama used to go to when she was a girl.

My favorite uncle walked up to me and hugged me, "It's raining" I said sadly, "and it should be sunny. Auntie loved a pretty day."

"Baby" he said softly "didn't anybody ever tell you that rain falling into an open grave is good luck - why even one of them little drops is one of God's angels sent special to take Mildred on home. Why that's an even better welcome home than that big parade they had for that war hero last week. Why, I'll bet Mildred is so happy to see all them angels that she's 'bout talked their ear off already." Uncle walked away and I stopped crying. Now, every time it rains, I remember what my uncle told me and I wonder how many angels can hide in a single little drop."

Lorraine Johnson-Coleman is a folklorist and author from Savannah, GA. You can purchase her books by visiting our website at weathernotebook.org. Our show is underwritten by Subaru with major support provided by the National Science Foundation.

Purchase Lorraine Johnson's Coleman's book Just Plain Folks: Original Tales of Living, Loving, Longing and Learning