Riding In The Rain

It's been one year since I wrote my last blog. I've been busy with Work at Ford and developing The Farm (facebook, blog). I recently had a fantastic experience which I must share.

The other day I left work as usual on my motorcycle and it started to rain as I left the building. I love the rain and did not think of stopping, but almost everyone else on a two wheeler was looking for shelter - under a bridge, inside shops etc. I rode on - it was a light drizzle and would probably stop in a while.

As I reached the main road the light rain turned into a downpour. If I took a left, home was 5 minutes away. Right was a 30 minute ride. I turned right.

Growing up in Chandigarh, I remember riding my motorcycle in the rain at every opportunity I got. Whenever we were home for the holidays, all of us kids would play in the rain while Mom cooked up hot sweet pudas. My mother tells me that even as a kid, I was fascinated by the rain and would sit and watch the rain for hours. I was a restless kid and I guess the rain calmed me down. It still does.

So as I rode in the rain I felt I was missing something. I was wearing a helmet and my head was dry. I wasn't 'feeling the rain on my face". I stopped on the side of the road and took my helmet off and just enjoyed the rain for sometime, put on my helmet and rode home.

I thought of many things - my clothes are wet and I probable will have to throw away my new shoes and in how much trouble will I be with the wife. I didn't care - I was having so much fun.

When I reached home and parked my bike it was still pouring. I did not want the feeling to end. I sent my driver upstairs with my bag and went and stood in the rain. I looked around me and all the kids were in the parking lot, under the shelters. I could see they wanted to come out and play but their mothers were holding them back. Of 'course the moms looked at me as if I was insane. It was really sad to see parents over protecting their kids. What's the worse that could happen? The kid would catch a cold? That helps the immune system I'm told. Just let them have fun. My mom let me play in the rain for as long as I wanted to and I turned out all right.

My driver returned and clicked a picture of me getting wet. My wife wanted to know what I was up to and did not believe him when he told her about what I was doing. He took the picture to her as proof.

Finally I did go up expecting a blasting from her but Monika found it very amusing. She made me a hot cup of tea and we went out for hot Jalebis.

We give up the little pleasures life has to offer in the name of growing up. The things we give up doing are also things we prevent our children from doing. I've always found happiness in small things and will continue to do so. I wish the parents of the kids in my building (and everywhere else) did so too.

The next time it rains, give me a call - we'll go out and play.