Windows open letting in the cool air of a desert winter. It is slowly getting darker outside, even though it is just after lunchtime. I almost didn’t notice the change in light until a large crash brought my attention to the window. Was it an accident, some new construction, no, no … and then it came to me, thunder. Quickly small dark circles appeared on the ground. First a few and then more and more. I remember rain, but this was the first time that I had seen it in this country, this desert country. I spoke the word out loud, rain. It sounded odd in this place, and not just because I was alone and talking to myself. The word is out of place here. Rain, more like Reign, an ancient ruling government. Maybe this was God’s way of reminding us of his reign or more likely a turbulent reign of a short lived ruler of times past. More human, more temperamental. It grew a little, just enough for the small drops to come together to cover the ground. And then it was over, just a few minutes, not enough to wash away our sins. It still feels different for some reason. A new beginning. Cleaner start. I shake my head to get out of my thoughts, and look our at the asphalt that paves its way through our little compound. Dark water is starting to lighten, our cleansing fluid is starting to evaporate. It will be over soon, no remains, only memory. My memory of my first rain in Doha, the desert country where I live.