the little things

“Woohoo Wendy, they’re palm trees. Yes we know you live in Southern California. You don’t have to keep rubbing it in.”

No, you’re just not looking closely enough. The palm trees weren’t the reason I took this picture. It is what’s behind the palm trees. Clouds.

I see these three palm trees everyday as I look out my back door. Against the clear blue sky they remind me how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place. But the last few days they have been placed before a different background, a very familiar and comfortable background.

Seeing the palm trees and clouds immediately reminded me of the summers growing up and the afternoon showers that would roll in everyday, making the streets and roofs rise with steam. It reminded me of all the times my family and I would sneak off to Galveston Island, just to get away for a while. It reminded me of that smell, the smell that you can never quite describe, but you know rain is on the way.

I miss these things.