This illustration was done by Kristi Coghlan who is our writer, Karina Coghlan’s mother.

Two hands and a nose press up against the window pane, trying to get a better look at the storm outside. The moon’s glow and the twinkle of stars are hidden behind dense rain clouds. Only the light from the house, escaping out the window, reveals the dark pools of water and ripples from the rain until jagged light flashes across the sky. A boom shakes the house moments later, echoed by a little yelp and the thumpity-thumps of small feet skittering across the floor.

Marie buries herself in blankets and clings to her teddy bear for protection. While thunderstorms may be exciting for adults, to small children, the roar of the Gods and flashes of light cracking the sky into pieces is terrifying. Underneath the covers, she waits all night for the end of the storm. Her little eyes grow heavy at the sound of blustering winds and branches knocking at the window. Marie slowly drifts off to sleep to her stormy lullaby.

The next morning, Marie looks out the window expecting to find a dreary, cloudy, gray day. Instead, the sun is shining through a slightly cloudy, but mostly blue sky with a rainbow glowing over the mountain. She puts on her yellow rubber rain boots and a gray jacket. Then Daisy, her faithful yellow dog, follows her outside.

In the muddy garden, water droplets rest on silky and delicate flower petals. The sidewalk is covered in puddles of all sizes. The water is still and smooth as glass, and the sunlight hits just right, leaving a perfect reflection of the clouds and branches of the cottonwood tree on the water’s surface. Marie stands there for a moment, appreciating the beauty of nature’s gift before bending her knees and pushing hard off the ground to jump as high as she can.

Water splashes outward as she lands, repainting the dry spots of sidewalk once again, wet and glossy with the leftover rainwater. Her feet don’t get soggy thanks to her yellow rubber rain boots. Marie giggles, jumping from puddle to puddle while Daisy follows her and joyfully barks in response.

Stopping at the edge of a steep, slick hill, Marie looks down at the swamp-like grass at the bottom and decides the puddle jumping should end here. Daisy, however, comes barreling behind her at full speed, slamming into poor Marie and knocking her down to the ground. They both slide down, helplessly racing to the bottom of the hill.

Marie was surprised to find herself lying there in a puddle that felt more like a pond. The shock quickly wears off when Daisy rushes in to lick Marie’s nose. Daisy continues to pounce in the water, splashing Marie, ensuring no article of clothing is left dry. Marie sits up and swishes the water right back to Daisy.

After a rainstorm, no one could be happier than this girl playing with her dog. She didn’t even mind the soggy socks.

This was written by our contributing writer, Karina Coghlan.