Rain, Rainbows, and the Gifts of Life’s Storms
There’s something magical about the sound of rain, isn’t there? I’ve always loved it—until a couple of Thursdays ago, when it poured nonstop through the night, and I found myself lying awake in the RV wondering if we might actually float away. It sounds silly now, but as the rain kept pounding, I couldn’t shake the thought: Could the RV actually float? Would we wake up in the middle of the lake?
The storm didn’t just come and go—it stayed. By the time morning arrived, the rain had eased slightly, but the clouds still loomed heavy, promising more. That weekend, we were expecting two of our closest friends, Sandra and Emilio, for a visit. They’ve known Shon for decades, and their visits always bring so much joy. But with weather like this, I couldn’t help but wonder what on earth we’d do to keep them entertained in the middle of a torrential downpour.
Welcoming Friends in the Rain
The rain came back in full force Friday afternoon, so heavy that Sandra and Emilio had to pull over just ten minutes from the ranch. Sheets of water blurred their view of the road. But as soon as they arrived, it was as if the skies decided to give us a break. The rain eased up, and we greeted them with open arms.
Sandra and Emilio brought fajita meat to cook for us—a signature treat—and as always, they made the ranch feel a little brighter. We settled them into their RV, laughing about the weather as we navigated the muddy trails. Their easygoing nature reminded me of the beauty in slowing down and enjoying the simple pleasures, even when plans don’t go as expected.
The Rainbow That Stole the Show
That evening, Sandra called me outside. “You have to see this!” she said, her voice full of excitement. I stepped out and froze. There, stretching perfectly over the framed structure of our ranch house, was the most vivid, breathtaking rainbow I’ve ever seen. It felt like a moment out of a dream—so perfect it didn’t seem real.
There, stretching perfectly over the framed structure of our ranch house, was the most vivid, breathtaking rainbow I’ve ever seen.
As I stood there taking it in, I turned to the opposite side of the sky and saw the sunset. The clouds glowed red and gold, reflecting the last rays of sunlight in a way that made the entire landscape feel alive. I snapped two photos—one of the rainbow and one of the sunset—and as I looked at them later, I realized they were a perfect representation of that weekend: beauty and promise after the storm.
The clouds glowed red and gold, reflecting the last rays of sunlight in a way that made the entire landscape feel alive.
A Lake That Shouldn’t Be Full Yet
The surprises didn’t end there. By the next morning, we realized that the new lake at the front of the property—the one we thought would take at least a year or two to fill—was already full. Completely full.
When we designed the house, we planned for the gutters to eventually direct rainwater to the lake, allowing it to fill slowly over time. But one weekend of relentless rain had done what we thought would take years. Standing there looking at the water, I couldn’t help but feel awe at how quickly things can change—how nature has a way of exceeding even our best-laid plans.
It was a moment that felt symbolic of the entire journey of building The Essex Ranch. So much of this process has been unpredictable, but it’s in these surprises—both the challenges and the miracles—that the real magic of this place comes alive.
The new lake at the front of the property—the one we thought would take at least a year or two to fill—was already full
Finding Gratitude in the Storms
That weekend left me with a deep sense of gratitude—not just for the beauty of The Essex Ranch, but for life itself. It’s funny how storms can feel overwhelming when you’re in the middle of them, whether they’re literal storms like this one or the personal challenges we all face. But when they pass, they often leave behind something beautiful—a rainbow, a sunset, or even the realization that you’re stronger than you thought.
Living on the ranch has taught me to embrace the unexpected. From storms to rainbows to lakes filling overnight, life here is a constant reminder that the best moments often come when you least expect them.
What Storms Have Taught You
Have you ever experienced a moment when life surprised you with something beautiful after a storm? Maybe it was something simple, like a quiet moment of peace, or something extraordinary, like a rainbow over your own home. I’d love to hear your story in the comments—let’s celebrate the beauty that comes after life’s storms together.
And if you haven’t yet subscribed to our The Essex Ranch blog, I’d love for you to join us on this journey. From construction updates to heartfelt reflections like this, there’s so much more to come as we build this dream. Until next time, may you always find rainbows after your storms.
Gratefully yours,
The Essex Ranch
