by Valentina Warner
Terrifying drought, fires, and suffocating smoke.
I could feel it, a deep knowing in my bones, that our number was up next.
Then the rain came.
Blessed rain
I needed you.
I needed to breathe in the soft, water-laden air.
You brought back life.
You brought back vitality, tenderness, softness.
I'm so grateful for you.
Valentina Warner has lived in Rainier Valley since 1998 and was born and raised in Seattle. She's worked for the last 22 years at the Rainier Beach clinic as a physician.
Featured image: Charm in the Rain is attributed to Claudia Dea under a Creative Commons 2.0 license.