Rain

Posted on February 7th, 2008 by Cam.
Categories: Let's talk.

I don’t know how to explain today. It has been quite a surreal 24-hours. It is raining.

Yesterday, I couldn’t escape the discomfort that I felt in my body. The heat in Perth has been horrendous- the hottest summer in 17 years apparently. I felt the full weight of it yesterday. My body thinks that it is hot (temperature) most of the time due to amyloidosis. It was damn hot yesterday, and just suffocating. I haven’t got an air-con in the shop yet so there was nowhere to cool down. The only thing that I craved was to be drenched in water. I couldn’t get the image out of my head just how amazing it would be to be washed down with cool water and be refreshed.

Elizabeth picked me up mid-afternoon and we went home. I jumped straight into the shower and sat down, letting the cold water soak me. We chilled the house right down to the point where Elizabeth needed extra clothing. I sat under the airconditioner with my feet in ice-water. We went out with family for dinner just around the corner but headed home a bit earlier as I was still feeling quite hot and sore.

I was finally beginning to cool down again by about midnight last night, and there was a cool breeze moving in. For the last few days also I have had to appease the god of purging digestive tracts with frequent offerings. Last night was therefore like a spiritual revival that left me feeling tired and dehydrated.

At about four o’clock this morning, the heavens opened with the largest drops of cool rain. There was no hesitation nor question when I found myself standing in our backyard in my underwear as the rain drenched over me and the cool wind blew over me. It couldn’t have been more perfect. I know other people like rain, but the drops that fell on me, were for me.

We were due at the hospital at 8:30 this morning to get my monthly infusion to increase my bone density. The smile didn’t leave my face as we drove through the rain, walked through puddles, got wet trying to share an umbrella and planned routes to take that kept us close to purging sanctuaries in case there was an unexpected call to prayer.

It is also Chinese New Year today, so all morning there have been crackers going off in the street as different businesses around our house are being blessed. There is a group of dancers, dragons, drummers etc that go around performing the ceremony. Great fun to watch, but great to hear from the couch too.

Today it is raining all day. I have the doors wide open and the cool breeze is blowing through the house. I start my first day of my second cycle of chemo so I am expecting to be laying low today and tomorrow. We forgot to pick up my anti-nausea drugs this morning from the hospital so Elizabeth went back to pick them up and I will start my lunch today with some poison.

If being left with an image of a 33-year old standing half-naked in the rain disturbs you, please feel free to replace it with the image that is strongest for me today. It is the scene of Elizabeth and I walking through the hospital car park, sharing a token umbrella and a hot chocolate, walking slowly through pouring rain and puddles and laughing with each other for no particular reason. She is so good to me.

12 comments.

Lynda

Comment on February 7th, 2008.

You are both so lucky to have one another. Kindred spirits.

Are you sure you don’t have a “Gene” or “Fred” in the family anywhere??

Keep singing in the rain.

STace W

Comment on February 7th, 2008.

is that first image even legal! … haha… well you’ve opened up a new insight into this weather and after reading that i’ve found myself with a big smile and thanking God for giving us the rain. it seems… the weather is ALWAYS a blessing… maybe not to us… but somewhere…
Stay cool Cam! … and stay warm liz! sounds like your living with Ice man!
all the best to the both of you! God Bless
STace xox

Guy in the wet suit

Comment on February 7th, 2008.

Thanks for sharing with us your moving tribute to the falling rain. The image of yourself and Liz walking under an umbrella is a lasting symbol of your incredible devotion to each other.

However, the image of Cameron standing in his wet see-through knickers in the rain borders on the edge of depravity.

manda rowe

Comment on February 7th, 2008.

oh no i feel so bad now, i’ve been cursing getting wet all day today – love the rain as long as i’m not in it… sorry cam, will love getting wet for you ;-)

Guy in the wet knickers in the rain

Comment on February 7th, 2008.

Just decided I needed to join with Cameron to celebrate the falling of the rain. Bring on the rain!!!

serendippity

Comment on February 7th, 2008.

wevver the wevver be wet or the wevver be hot we’ll wevver the wevver whatevver the wevver wevver we like it or not

Cuz Adam

Comment on February 7th, 2008.

I too spent most of the day staring out the window at work watching the heavens release 2 months of rain in one day.
The overall feeling of cleansing – physically, mentally and spiruality was so substantial….the same feeling we get when the sun breaks out after days of bitter rain.
I think days like today may mean more to people who spent their childhood (i.e. simpler times) down south. Today was like a typical Manjimup spring day, or in your case, a typical Albany balmy arvo, the type of day you would come home from school drenched to the bone, making a steaming cup of milo and enjoying the latest theatrical serving of “monkey magic”, “danger mouse” and “doctor who”. Good times, Good times.

the Hoppies

Comment on February 8th, 2008.

Beautiful!
Same here, gorgeous Liz & Cam, we’ve been loving the rain, ‘sniffing’ the wonderful Eucalyptus air all day, windows open, pot plants out, car out for a wash, lids on pipes to fill up the rainwater tank… what a blessing after the scorching heat up here in the hills!
Hey, keep up singing in the rain and sun, you are doing so impressively well and your love for each other, your whole lives are so inspirational. You have me in tears nearly every time I read your fantastic blog… is wrting a book in your plans?
Much love, the Hoppies :o )

philly

Comment on February 8th, 2008.

I’m not sure why but this is the first time that i have allowed myself to cry while reading one of your entries, not that there has been lack of material in the past year or not that I have been hardened , just seems to be my way of dealing at the moment…anyway there is something about the image of you really needing that rain and the image of you and Libs laughing your way through it under your umbrella that has tipped me over.

Iain

Comment on February 8th, 2008.

You should pay us a visit, Cam. We’re big on rain here and can offer you whole days at a time of the stuff. If you’d only come last week we could have thrown in snow and gale force winds – an amyloidosis sufferer’s dream, I’d imagine.

Anne & I are still walking with you, albeit at long range.

nate dogg

Comment on February 8th, 2008.

I’m picturing the scene in Shawshank Redemtion where Tim Robbins has waded through poo and is standing in the rain arms outstretched and looking to the sky. At least he was wearing pants!

Guy in the white suit

Comment on February 10th, 2008.

Here’s a serious reflection I want to share with you Cam. This whole new chapter of your life has had a interesting affect on my life. It seems whenever difficult issues or troubles arrive they are put into perspective by remembering your circumstances. Also, my typical internal thoughts of ‘poor me’ are pretty much shot down by your incredible bravery, dignity and humor. There’s an old saying in Christian circles, “What would Jesus do?”. Maybe I need to be burned at the stake, but I am now asking myself “What would Cam do”. That’s not heresy I hope, but simply a testimony to Cam Christ-likeness.*

*Not in regard to wearing undies in the rain.

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