The other day a colleague told me about an encounter she had with someone else in our office.

The person with whom she was talking hit a streak of bad luck - medical issues, two fender benders, a death in the family, and some disappointments at work.  In an effort to cheer him up, Terry reminded our friend, "It is often after the fiercest storms that we get some of the prettiest rainbows."

He replied by joking, "The best rainbow would be the one with a pot of gold at the end."

That very same day, it rained in Grapevine.  I walked outside to check the mail and Jack, who was traipsing behind me, began yelling and pointing at the sky.  The picture above is what Jack spotted.

Overwhelmed by the coincidence, I got very excited and ran inside to grab my camera.  My excitement created ripples.  The neighbors wondered what the commotion was about and ran outside to see.

Before long eight or nine people were in the driveway visiting and admiring the rainbow - people who, otherwise, would be inside making dinner, watching t.v. or sorting mail.  For a brief period, the growing crowd, enjoyed the natural beauty of a rainbow and the simple joys of living in community.  To me, that feels darn near close to a pot of gold.

I've had some of my own disappointments lately. Rejected by Seth Godin for a three-day intensive workshop for women entrepreneurs; dumped by Fancy Flours who wants to give other bloggers the chance to show what they've got (I think it was the armadillos that did us in), and House of Shine projects continuing to move at a snail's pace!

But, I believe Terry.  There's a rainbow out there, just waiting to see if I am willing to weather the storm.  And, I will - with a camera in one hand and, in the other, a pot of gold that is sure to shine!

How about you?  Visit us in the Community Forum labeled, Today's Post.  Tell us about the storm you are weathering and what will be waiting in your pot of gold?

Shining off until tomorrow...