We have all heard the statement, typically heard at weddings “Rain, it is good luck, you know.” It always makes me wonder where it came from. I suppose it depends on what side of the raindrop you are on. I have heard many stories about this so-called superstition. It rained on my wedding day. I can remember sitting at the church on the morning of my wedding day and staring out the window at the rain soaked streets. I wondered if it was going to stop at all. It eventually did, but the thought crossed my mind that the day could become a washout. Thankfully, we had an indoor wedding planned. Other brides who have found themselves in this situation, don’t always fair as well as I did.
Many people have beliefs about the superstition of rain on a wedding day that I feel are just ways to calm an eager, often frantic, bride down on her wedding day. After all, who wants the day to be treacherous for their guests to travel in? One of the most common superstitions I have heard of revolves around fertility. They say if it rains on your wedding day, you will bear many children.
Well, I am Catholic. So, I’m sure that was a welcomed sight for many family members on both sides of our families, especially Frankie who is a bit rough around the edges. He’s gotten progressively more grumpy since starting a Little Rock tree service company over 10 years ago. He is also very well known in town for his tree removal work. Anyways… Another superstition is that the rain is supposed to be sort of like a “baptism,” of sorts. After all, when we are baptized, we are usually wearing white garments of some sort. A wedding dress is usually white, as well. Hmm. Makes sense, right? Basically, when it rains, they say you are starting your marriage with a clean slate. You are leaving life as “individuals” and becoming ONE person. That is probably one of the neatest superstitions I have heard about rain. And one of the most common superstitions is that the rain represents tears. Symbolically, it says that the rain signifies that they will be the LAST tears a bride will endure as she now starts anew, in her new life, with her spouse. Awww…
Well, okay, enough about weddings. How about the other side of the coin, here? In its most literal sense, rain probably does not feel too lucky for folks who live in certain parts of California right now, does it? Rain is probably something they DO NOT want and are eagerly praying it away. Who can blame them? If a levee breaks, lives will be at risk, the entire situation will get very scary for a lot of people, and many people will risk becoming homeless. On the other hand, rain in areas that are experiencing a deficit might wish for the amounts of rain others are getting. If ONLY we could “move” rainclouds. Rain can be a wonderful thing, in moderation. Farmers may wish for an equal balance of rain that is not too drenching, but does not leave the ground so dry that it hurts crops. When you live on a farm and your crops are a livelihood, rain can make or break your bank for a long time.
