It was a hot, summer day and the park was full of laughter and activity.

There were children clambering over the climbing frame and families splashing and dashing in the swimming pool. The only area in the park for relaxation and peace was the top left corner near to the entrance of the woods. Here Lorna-Rose and her mother were both stretched out on the newly cut grass staring up at the tranquil sky.

The silence that surrounded the two was only broken when Lorna-Rose asked her mother "What does the sun do?" After a while of contemplation the following reply was given. "The sun is very important because it makes you feel warm, cheerful and bright. It gives you the light to help you live happily and the confidence to shine with success."

Lorna-Rose thought about this insightful response before pointing up to the sky and enquiring "So what about those clouds?" "Well the clouds are just as vital as the sun. You see they collect up all your thoughts and then show you what your real dream is. In essence they let you see what you want to be."

And even before her daughter could ask her about the role of rain Lorna-Rose's mother was clarifying that as well. "Rain allows you to reach your ambition because every droplet is full of ideas and inspiration. Each droplet comes to you from your own dream cloud and so will support, strengthen and guide you until you reach your personal paradise. The more splashes you catch the quicker your dream will match."

Having taken this in Lorna-Rose then questioned "So does snow do the same thing then?"
"Actually no, you would expect it to be that or at least fun and fulfilling. However, snow is only around to try and trip you up or cause you hazards and difficulties. You see snow is the opposite of rain because it tries to stop you from reaching your goal. Snow collects all the rain then freezes it so that your ideas can't get through to you. All that incredible inspiration from the clouds is made completely useless because by the time a droplet of snow lands on you all that you feel is a cold sensation of emptiness. Snow is a challenge that you have to overcome."

Near silence fell on the two as the youngster considered what she had been told. The only noises that kept the place from total silence were the distant shrieks and yells of laughter coming from the play area and the swimming pool.

"I take it you understand why we have the moon and the stars?" Lorna-Rose was asked.
"No." Came the slow, but intrigued response.
"Oh, well the moon is also of paramount importance. In the dark it listens, it calms and it offers peaceful serenity. It is your night-time companion and the spotlight for your reflections. Every question you ask the moon is honestly answered so that you know your next move in the day ahead."

"And the stars?"
"Well the stars are around to make you realise how special you are. Stars twinkle at night to show off your own beautiful spirit and light. For every good deed you ever do, a star is added above you. We all see a different night-time pattern and different night-time view, because what we see is what we do."

"I bet even the wind does something special." Lorna-Rose joked.
"Oh yes, all our answers can be found by looking into the great beyond. However, the wind can be a wondrous friend, but then it can also be a frightening foe. You see, the wind will guide you along your path and push you to your dream. The more confident you grow, the faster the wind will blow, so the closer to your perfect vision you will go."

"But what of this foe?" Came the perplexed enquiry.

"The wary foe is that the quicker you go, the greater the chance of an unexpected wind-changing blow. You see a sudden gust from a changing wind can damage belief, hope, ambition and trust. All that you have worked towards can suddenly be ripped and pulled from you. And with the speed that you were going forwards, you are thrown double or even treble backwards. So as you go along your way, think about the best pace to help you stay."

As her daughter was carefully thinking about what she had just been told Lorna-Rose's mother continued her explanations of the weather. Well she was on a roll. "Then you have thunder and lightening which are very different, yet extremely significant. Thunder being a warning sign that helps to keep you from harm. It is, if you will, your inner alarm. Thunder collects up all of its grumbles and then when it gets too much comes out with booming rumbles. By doing this, the atmosphere, which has built up, can be released. Then once it is over and out calmness can be restored."

After a momentarily pause she continued. "Life has moments where your next move can either make you win or make you lose. Lightening comes as a warning sign to help you recognise this time. The time when you are between a flash of brilliance that will either help you reach your dream or make you really want to scream. So just be careful when you see the flash that you have chosen the correct path."

For a while Lorna-Rose gazed thoughtfully in to the sky and carefully reflected on what her mother had told her.

As mother and daughter stood up to leave they both wiped themselves down, linked arms and then headed to the park exit. As they brushed past busy, chattering families they noticed that droplets of rain were attaching themselves to their clothing. Together they looked in to the sky and smiled. Then just before Lorna-Rose had the time to ask her mother the question that was on the tip of her lip her mother answered it. "Through the brightness of the sun, as well as the inspiration in the rain a rainbow appears. The colours of a rainbow are there to show us all that when happiness and hope are brought together things look, feel and are more wonderful than anything else imaginable."

Lorna-Rose turned to smile at her mother and then moved in for the warmest and most loving hug that she had ever had on a weather watching day.