Petrichor

Petrichor. It’s the scent after rainfall. You can only sense it after rainfall. The scent does not exist in fog or snow. You can’t get it from the hose or a glass of water. And though many candle and air freshening manufacturers may wish otherwise, it just cannot be replicated. Rainbows? The best ones are after rain, but you can also see them other times—like through a glass prism, or when the spray of the sprinklers dances with the sun. Petrichor? Only after rain.

It’s funny. I’ve never cared for rain much, and I’ve been known on some gloomy days to hide under the blankets. But that scent after the rain? I realize I’m not alone in saying that it’s one of my favorites. It’s invigorating and comforting at the same time. Refreshing.

My friends and I laugh at how much we love this COVID-19 world, and how much we hate it.

My storm is the pressure I feel trying to be in so many places at the same time—playing with my kids, working, and teaching my daughter second grade. But I LOVE the slower pace that also comes with this type of living. That’s my petrichor.

My storm is social distancing. But I LOVE feeling so united. That’s my petrichor.

My storm is how irritated I feel by so much whining and so many requests throughout the day. But I LOVE spending so much time with my favorite people. That’s my petrichor.

My storm is the absence of weekly dates with my husband. But I LOVE having him home so much. That’s my petrichor.

My storm is spending so much time in my house. But I LOVE my home. That’s my petrichor.

Petrichor. The loveliness only comes after the gloom. Sometimes the rain falls slowly and gently, and other times the showers come violently with upsetting lightning and thunder. But always, there is petrichor.

What’s your storm? What’s your petrichor?