Singin' in the 'Forlorn' Rain

10.5.1950

The appearance of this comic strip sets the scene of a girl caught in the rain without an umbrella, walking towards a boy that has an umbrella in an disgruntled mood. She's grumbling to herself, "Rain, Rain, Rain, rain." The boy is happy under his umbrella. He's happy enough, I think, to hand his umbrella over to the girl. As she walks away with the umbrella in hand and a look of satisfaction, the boy walks away sad and upset, grumbling, "Rain, Rain, Rain, rain..."

I think that this is al lesson in boundaries. Sure it was nice that the boy gave up his umbrella to help this little girl. But you would think that'd he'd be happy to do such a kind act. How many times have I agreed to do something begrudgingly, or even unconsciously begrudgingly my choice to do something.

There are times where instead of telling my wife, Sarah, what I want to do outright, I ask her what she wants to do, hoping that she somehow reads my mind and lands on the thing I was thinking of. Or how when she asks me to something that I don't really want to do, I do it in resentment. This is more common then people think. Boundaries bring happiness and boundaries need to be clear.

Dear Sir, dear Life,

Rain, rain go away.

Come again another day.

Sometimes I don't know how to set boundaries, and I end up hurting myself in the process. The people that love me want me to get what I want and to be happy.

Perhaps I could've walked the little girl to her home and we both would be happy. Me, because I'm helping out someone, and her, because she is not getting drenched and gets to enjoy my lovely company.

Honestly, I love the rain. I remember playing soccer in the rain and totally having a blast even though I was freezing.

I'm singin' in the rain,

Just singin' in the rain.

What a glorious feelin',

I'm happy again.

Yours truly,

The Marcie in me

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What experiences do you have with setting boundaries? Have you ever had a hard time because you didn't uphold a boundary that would have made you happier?