As a native Pacific Northwester, I know just how fleeting good weather can seem. People complain about all the rain, more rain, and also the paucity of warm sunny days. The northwest is a land of transplants from other regions, many of whom apparently believe the myth that the weather in the northwest sucks. Perhaps it’s my native webbed feet or my naturally lower body temperature, but I love it here just the way it is.

Growing up playing soccer games in a downpour, rainy day recesses spent watching Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown, and an endless series of softball game rain-outs taught me to appreciate the good weather days. Sure, it’s tough in December and January when the days are short, cold, and damp. I start to fantasize about trips to Hawaii, or even LA in a pinch. But the gloom of soggy darkness lifts on the first sunny day in January when everyone is suddenly friendly, cheerful, delighted to see that glowing orb in the sky that we call the sun. Folks say “hi” to each other, look up from their shoes, smile more. We grow to value the sunny days and treasure them.

Today, it’s 80 degrees and sunny, and I’m sitting on my back porch wearing a tank top, shorts, and sandals for the first time this year. In April! Earlier, when I took my dog for a walk, at least three complete strangers chatted with me about this fantastic weather. I hung the laundry out on the line to dry. In the background is the din of lawn mowers and other gardening efforts, kids playing basketball, birds singing and finding mates. If this isn’t the payoff for enduring some crummy weather in December, then I don’t know what is.

In reflecting on how appreciative we all are of gorgeous spring days, it reminds me to appreciate other good things in my life. We could always enjoy more sun, but if we had it would we appreciate it as much? I could make more money, have a bigger/fancier house, a better yard, etc. etc, but do I really need it? If I had all that, wouldn’t there just be something else I’d want next? At least I’ve never had to shovel 10 feet of snow in the winter, live with a decade of drought, or face a hurricane.

Living in the northwest has taught me to be happy with what I have, and shown me that the grass isn’t actually greener on the other side of the fence. The grass is pretty darn green here this spring! I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Tagged as Portland + Categorized as Inspiration, Living in Portland