On Monday night while I was leading Yoga at the University Center, the storm hit Stillwater. As we pushed up into downward dog, we heard the rain pour onto the roof. While bracing ourselves for the Pilates 100, the UC was pelted with hail the size of quarters.

We were just nearing the end when rain started gushing from at least eight spots along the western wall. Students from the lobby poured into the room to help catch the water with our assorted collection of trash cans, ice chests, pots and towels. Even though our wall was soaked, the carpet began to smell and the room was filled with frentic activity – it was rather inspiring.

Whoever designed the church was an idiot. They gave it a flat roof. Of course, this means that for the past few decades of the building’s existence, its staff and students regularly visit the UC during storms to make sure that the UC isn’t flooded. After the rain pours in, the fellowship room is usually aired out for a couple of days to dry the carpet and walls.

Fortunately, it’s also given our students a tradition to remember during their time at OSU and the UC. For instance, our group of seniors often refers to the storm during the spring banquet of our freshman year. While at Meditations, one of the elders burst into the banquet to announce that the UC was flooded and we “needed a few good men” to save the day. Of course, practically all of the guys left and the girls were left to wrap up the banquet and clean up. The guys later said that there really wasn’t anything to do, except put buckets under the drips and watch. We laugh about now. It certainly wasn’t the bailing buckets of water scenario that we’d imagined!

True, it sounds like a pretty lame ritual, but our group is always strengthened a bit when we’re forced to work together and help keep the UC going, even if it means putting a pot under a drip. Watching people work together successfully and have a great attitude is a gift to behold.

It’s cheesy, but I dig teamwork.

By the way, after the rush we continued Yoga, in case you were concerned.