Run Through the Rain
She had been shopping with her Mom in Wal-Mart. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful brown haired, freckle-faced image of innocence1. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes2 over the TOP of rain gutters3, so much in a hurry to hit the Earth it has no time to flow down the spout4.
We all stood there under the awning5 and just inside the door of the Wal-Mart. We waited, some patiently, others 4)irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized6 by rainfall. I get lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child come pouring in as a welcome reprieve7 from the worries of my day.
Her voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in. Mom, let's run through the rain. she said.
What? Mom asked.
Let's run through the rain! She repeated.
No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit. Mom replied.
This young child waited about another minute and repeated: Mom, let's run through the rain.
We'll get soaked if we do. Mom said.
No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning. the young girl said as she tugged8 at her Mom's arm.
This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?
Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!'
中文：
她和母亲刚在沃尔玛购完物。这个纯真无邪的小姑娘应该6岁大了，头发是漂亮的棕色，脸上有雀斑。外面下着倾盆大雨。雨水溢满了檐槽，来不及排走，就迫不及待地涌向了大地。
大家都站在沃尔玛门口的遮篷下。大伙在等待，有些人非常耐心，也有人烦躁，由于老天在给他们本已忙碌的一天添乱。雨天总引起我的遐思。我出神地听着、看着老天洗刷冲走这世界的污垢和尘埃，孩时无忧无虑地在雨中奔跑玩水的记忆汹涌而至，暂时缓解了我这一天的焦虑。
小姑娘甜美的声音打破了这让人昏昏欲睡的氛围，母亲，大家在雨里跑吧。她说。
什么？妈妈问。
大家在雨里跑吧。她重复。
不，亲爱的，大家等雨小一点再走。妈妈回答说。
过了一会小姑娘又说：母亲，大家跑出去吧。
如此的话大家会湿透的。妈妈说。
不会的，母亲。你今天早上不是如此说的。小姑娘一边说一边拉着妈妈的手。
今天早上？我什么时间说过大家被大雨淋湿不会湿啊？
你不记得了吗？你和父亲谈他的癌症时，你不是说假如上帝让大家闯过这一关，那大家就没什么过不去了。（待续）
