And When It Rains….

And it’s raining again. The wet monsoon season is truly upon us. Monsoon is this seasonal wind that affects the South/Southeast asian lands so you’d think people will be prepared as it is happening all the time. But life has its way of surprising us.

The wet monsoon situation is getting alarming because of global warming and it’s worsening through the years. During summer, the heat index goes as high as 40 degree Celcius or more. Thunderstorms in the rainy season are on another level too. But I hope you are all doing well.

And when it rains
You always find an escape - Paramore

I am privileged enough to find the sound of the rain soothing because there is no bad memories that I can associate with it. That is despite experiencing heavy flooding in the past too but not to the expanse of losing a home or worse, losing a loved one. I even have a Spotify playlist of the sound of the rain because it helps me sleep.

I remember playing outside with my cousins and friends when it is raining back then. Life was legit easier. There was one time when it rained so hard when we visited my friend’s family and her mum is so sweet that she helped us dry our clothes and put paper warmers on our backs so we wouldn’t get sick. I remember seeing an actual tornado while in school. I remember getting the class suspended just as we have arrived in the university (we’ve just arrived but we are already allowed to go home). I remember struggling to find a ride home. I remember hanging out, watching movies on a friend’s house waiting for the rain to stop so we can go home. Those are some of the good memories that I will treasure forever.

But that is not the case of the people who lives on low land areas where even the smallest amount of rain could bring flood (in addition to the high tide). Those houses and the source of living that they have built through the years — gone with a blink of an eye. One swoosh of wind and poof! Years of hard work is already gone.

Where in some get to enjoy their hot porridge and soup under the comfort of their homes, some are struggling to survive.

The rain now reminds me of this scene from the Oscar-winning Korean film called Parasite.

“The rain is such a blessing,” but it is also a curse to those who are less-fortunate. And society is unfair just like that which is why you have to always check your privilege.

The rain now makes us evaluate what we have and it makes us even more grateful instead of focusing on the things that we lack.

I want to darken in the skies
Open the floodgates up
I want to change my mind
I want to be enough
I want the water in my eyes
I want to cry until the end of time

I want to let the rain come down
Make a brand new ground
Let the rain come down
Let the rain come down
Make a brand new ground
Let the rain come down tonight

I hold on to worry so tight
It's safe in here right next to my heart
Who now shouts at the top of her voice
Let me go, let me out; this is not my choice

And I always felt it before
That the world was filled with much more
Than the drowning soul I've learned to be
I just need the rain to remind me

- Sara Bareilles

When the rain pours, there’s also a promise of a new dawn. A refreshed land. A new ground. This Sara Bareilles song is so special to me as it has used rain as a metaphor of our tears and pain that we had to let out. We have to let it all out until our hearts are cleansed, and slowly, we will heal. Being reminded of the days we feel lost prepares us so we can look forward to the better days to come.

It will get better, but let it rain… for now.

What does the rain make you feel? I hope you’re safe and dry!

Til then.

A x