I biked down to the shopping complex by my house after school today. Yes, I knew there was going to be some bad weather, but I didn’t think it’d hit while I was down there. After all I didn’t plan to stay long- just needed to pick up some stuff for my mom at a hair place and Target, and maybe window shop a bit. So after about an hour and a half (I did end up window shopping…), I ended up at Target in the magazine section. I was about halfway through some article in a celebrity gossip magazine when my cell phone started to ring. And it was my mom. So I answer it and hear, “You need to come home. Now. It's pouring and I don't want you getting wet." Of course, my first thought was OH CRUD! I’m NOT riding my bike home in this weather! So I wait about five minutes, buy the gel Mom needed, hop on my bike, and ride away, but not before hearing two Target employees taking a smoke break discuss the weather. According to them, a pretty severe thunderstorm was coming our way. DARNIT!

I pedaled as fast as I possibly could (which was actually surprisingly fast) and mumbled a prayer to myself. The clouds were definitely getting grayer, and the wind was picking up. Oh yeah, and by now I was kinda frantic. So I do a little pleading with God. Our conversation went something along the lines of this: “Is it starting to rain? God, please don’t let it rain. Not while I’m pedaling. Please. Oh well, I guess it’s nice that you’ve at least kept me safe so far. And that’s what really counts. You know, me not dying and all… but if you want me to die in this storm because that’s part of your plan or something, I won’t be angry. So I guess I could die. But, uh, it’s up to you, and- CRUD! The rain’s getting heavier!” I was really freaking out there! Thankfully I got home before the rain really picked up (which it did, trust me).

And, for those curious, the stormy weather is gone, and I’m safe and sound. And alive. Phew! I have to go back outside now to see if there's a rainbow.