Thoughts on a rainy night

What is it about a rainy night that's so peaceful and relaxing? Could it be the gentle, hypnotic pattern of the drops falling and hitting the ground? Could it be how the falling curtain of water seems to isolate you from the rest of the world? Could it be the gentle scents and smells released by the rain as it caresses and permeates the earth and everything on it? Or is it a combination of all these things and more?
I think it's a combination of these things, all of them rolled into one. A night with a quiet, steady rainfall puts me in a very relaxed frame of mind, one good for introspection and time spent with loved ones. Sitting on the porch, only a candle for illumination, accompanied by my wife, a good book and a hot drink, surrounded by passed out puppies, is to me a perfect way to spend a rainy night. During a thunderstorm I love going out on the porch with no lights on to watch that most incredible of Nature's shows- nothing man has created can compete with the sheer power and unpredictability of such a display.
When camping approaching rain fills me with excitement, apprehension and a little sadness. The excitement comes from knowing that I will be perfectly relaxed in the tent hearing the impact of the rain inches from my head. The apprehension comes from not knowing how the rain's going to be- will it be a gentle caress or like a hammer of the gods coming down to earth? The sadness only comes if the rain is early in the day and whatever plans I may have had are getting washed away (no pun intended). Once the rain has started and the sounds around me are masked by the patter of drops the world really could not be a happier, more secure place. Blocked off from the outside world by my tent walls and the background noise of the drops, a good book in my hand and only a small light to bring illumination to my little world it's as though nothing else exists on the planet, that the rest of the world has stopped to give me this time of peace and solitude.
Thunderstorms in a tent can be the opposite- a nerve-wracking, tense experience. Time is spent wondering how powerful the storm will be, counting to see how far away lightning strikes are and plans for a quick escape into the car if needed. I've been lucky and never had one bad enough that I've had to do a quick dash to the car or had to sleep in the car versus the tent or had any wind damage and I'm very happy to keep that record going!!!
The next morning it's like the world is reborn. Everything is washed and fresh and new. Seeing the damage caused by storms is awe-inspiring- seeing tree limbs down, branches and leaves all over the place, and all done by water and wind is just plain amazing. Feeling how clean the air is, the gentle sparkle of sunlight striking the wet ground and leaves, gives a sense of peace and well-being. This is the feeling I have now with the rain coming down gently, speaking in an untranslatable whisper, that I know I will enjoy as I drift off to sleep. Goodnight for now...