The present is a gift

[T]HE PRESENT PRESENTS some unique challenges.

I know the above sentence is an understatement, with coronavirus uncertainty and all of the other uncertain things in the world these days.

Today was the kind of news day which makes me breathe a sigh of relief I didn’t have to cover it, just because newsrooms were probably even busier than normal.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden picked California senator Kamala Harris as his running mate.

The Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences punted on fall sports for 2020, but the other Power 5 leagues still plan to compete.

We live in unprecedented times for a variety of reasons, not just the reasons I mentioned, but several times today I was reminded the present still holds many blessings.

Even the things we sometimes take for granted can still bring joy.

The rain provided some for me today.

We had what sounded like a gulley washer today as the workday drew to a close.

Once I’d complained about how the bottom seems to drop out of the sky when it’s time for me to walk to the truck after work, I shut up long enough to listen.

I work under a metal roof.

I guess I’d forgotten how good rain sounds on those things.

It was so pleasant — except for when I thought it sounded like hail and worried about my windshield — I wanted to take a nap.

It was a light drizzle by the time I left, and it rained for most of the evening.

I didn’t walk, but I watched every pitch of a baseball game.

The Braves lost, but baseball is still a welcome piece of Americana I’m glad to have.

When I could see the rain sprinkle through the window between innings I was reminded the present is a gift, even when it includes less-than-desirable circumstances, and if you wish it away you’ll never get it back.

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This post is a response to Sue’s prompt, which is, “present.”