The steady rhythm of the rain tonight as I drove home reminded me of a night in May many years ago. I was playing basketball on an outdoor court when it began to rain. The rain drenched clothes and skin. Thunder rumbled through the basketball court. Lightening embraced the night sky. The rain cleansed the air.
When the rain soaked my shoes, I kicked them off. I felt the cold water chill my feet as sweat mingled with rain on my face. I focused on the game, on the steady rhythm of dribble, pass, and shoot. The ball was slippery and the game was challenging. The feel of feet on wet concrete, hands grabbing wet leather, and muscles responding to commands are sensory memories that call me back to that night. A night of foolishness, freedom, and fun. A once in a lifetime moment.
That night is so memorable because I wasn’t focused on the thunder or the lightening (perhaps being quite foolish). I wasn’t worried about what would happen later that night or the next day. The only thing I was focused on was the rhythm of dribble, pass, and shoot. I was immersed in the moment. More than 25 years later I can still get lost in the memories of that night.
What I didn’t know that night was that it was the last time I would play basketball before I broke my back. I didn’t know that it would be a last opportunity to enjoy the rhythm of dribble, pass, and shoot without feeling pain. I didn’t know what would happen. I just had the moment.
Tonight, I smile as I watch the steady rhythm of the rain and remember that moment . . . remember the rhythm . . . remember a moment when I wasn’t concerned about the next hour or the next day.
Tonight as I fall asleep, I pray for more rain, more wet feet, more moments to remember.
