February 16, 2026
Evening Reflections
Rainy Days Are Good for the Soul…
This afternoon before sunset, I headed out to feed the birds, not realizing I was about to walk straight into a downpour.
The pier stretched long and gray in front of me, the sky heavy and dramatic. My raincoat turned out to be more “suggestion” than “protection,” and within minutes I was soaked. But the birds didn’t mind. They were happy I was there. That’s all that mattered.
Rain bouncing off the railing. Waves churning below. A seagull standing strong against the wind.
There’s something about being caught in the rain that strips everything down to what’s real.
As I walked back toward my car, I saw a seagull in the parking lot taking a bath in a puddle. Not surviving the storm. Celebrating it. Splashing around like it was the best day ever. I had to laugh.
I went home to dry off, but I knew I wasn’t done.
When I came back for sunset, the sky had transformed. The clouds looked like heaven was opening up—gold pouring through the seams of gray. It was breathtaking.
There was one lone surfer out there, riding the waves like the storm had been an invitation, not an obstacle. I spotted an airplane and a seagull at the same time in the sky, and from where I stood, the seagull almost looked bigger.
Perspective is funny like that.
As I turned around to leave, pink clouds glowed behind the silhouettes of palm trees. It felt like a quiet reminder.
When I take the time to open my eyes and truly notice, beauty is everywhere.
Even in the storm. Especially in the storm. Rainy days are good for the soul.
Capturing beauty, sharing light.
— April
Evening Gratitude Thought:
Tonight, I’m grateful for getting caught in the rain. For birds who celebrate puddles. For skies that open up like heaven after the storm. When I slow down and really look, I realize beauty was there all along—waiting for me to notice.
