Mime, you always have the neatest stories. This reminds me that throughout life, we live through cycles of doubt and renewal. There have always been people like Helen...people who seemed to have a third eye. The stories I could tell.....

My rate won't stick!!!

Great story. I'm surprised you didn't all become missionaries. :)

Makes me smile, quietly, ear to ear . . . love this piece, Mimetalker!

Oh yeah...God laughs all the time...I think S/He elbows the angels over stuff I do (Look at this-HAHAHAHAHA!!) I am a firm believer in signs...I just don't stopwatch em anymore...but they are always there. This was such a delightful story...as ever so infinitely well told. I wish we had been bunkmates then! ;) R and happy EP!!! yay!

What we are taught about God actually has very little about God! Great timing on the lightning strike! R

I loved this. You relayed this story so well, I felt like I was there. I enjoyed reading Fay's response too. I understand all this. R

Presbyterians (at least at that time) held pretty strictly to idea of pre-destination. I recall having some questions about that and Dad indicating to me that I didn't HAVE to believe everything the church said to be a member... so I am just as certain that he had similar questions and doubts.

Great story... congrats on the EP

This was a nice story to start my day with.....thank you for sharing it with us here.

Love this story. R.

What a great story. Unlike you, I could never reconcile my logical scientific training and the concept of the Christian god. Perhaps if I'd conjured up a lightning bolt my beliefs would be different today.
Rated.

Fay-yes doubt & renewal is a theme of my life... though I tend to think of it as doubt and "slap upside the head".

David-Ha! A few years later I thought I was supposed to become a nun. That only lasted a week.

Owl-love it when owls mile

Muse-had we been bunkmates, not sure the Lodge would still be standing ;-)

Libmomrn-agree & it was perfect timing. I have hesitated telling this story because it seems too perfect. Of course I also broke my pledge to never tell. But I think that has to expire after four decades.

Sheila-Thank you...I can tell from the things you've written we are on the same wave length.

John-I had the same question when I was in confirmation class and Dad gave me the same answer.

Torman-honored you feel that way.

Jonathan-I love that you came by.

I'll bet the plate had a few extra quarters in it that Sunday. Fun story, Sharon.

Gratefuldan-Ha! I understand. I never reconciled my conflicts with the Christian concept. I became a Baha'i and have a new understanding of the complementary relationship between science and religion.

Matt-I imagine it did. Now I am curious about how this affected the other girls. Dang. I may have to go to my 40th reunion afterall.

Sharon, you write so well I'm surprised you don't make your living doing it. I've enjoyed every one of your post here on OS. Please keep them coming.

the sense of peace in your stories always makes them a pleasure to read

"So even if you have a map of your future in the palm of your hand, there will always be surprises."

Beautiful Mimetalker - I was smiling all the way through this piece. I loved the ending, it warmed my heart through and through.

Mime, this is a wonderful story! I agree that God is a practical joker. Sometimes I wonder if I make God laugh...I know God makes me laugh.

Also, like Sparking, I love that line. It is so poetic.

It's been said here again and again, but you are a terrific storyteller. Reading your stories is like wolfing down a delicious meal in one quick gulp, then wishing there was more.

This is a wonderful and endearing memory and story telling of great visual dimensions. I especially loved your description of Helen's laughter, being thrown to the heavens and rolling back down around you (para-phrased). Amazing, delightful description! Loved summer camp as a kid but the ground was so hard. The camp fires and the smell of burning branches was the best!

Great story! I really started to get nervous with the count-up. You sure know how to create suspense. The ending surprised me in a most delightful way. What a twist! Fun, fun story -- epiphany and all!

Another wonderful story.

As the rest of your writing, a most delightful story. I like your tag about the spirits and tend to agree. ~R~

A great story, and so well-told. I wish I knew a Fred and a Helen. I love the way you describe her laughter.

*Chuck-thank you for the kind words. I’d love for this to my career (sigh) as should so many of the writers here.
*Tichaona-your words here…mean more than I can say without getting blubbery
*Sparking-so glad to see you at OS again and happy you enjoyed this
*Anna-Ha! Yes! Laughter is one of the best gifts we are given and give.
*BB-LOL-love the analogy. Hope you don’t get indigestion.
*Cathy-this camp was easier because we had bunk beds. The girl scout camp was a whole other matter and there are a few stories I could (and will) tell about that.
*Steve-Ahhh… you may be able to detect the influence of Alfred Hitchcock and Twilight Zone. Glad you enjoyed.
Cranky-Awww…thanks for stopping by, kind sir
*Fusun-It may be projection or hope on my part. Should I ever become a spirit hovering I want to have some fun.
*Bellweather-Oh, if I were in charge of the world everyone would have a Fred & Helen in their life.

Sharon, I think this is my favorite of all your writing. From the title to the last sentence, this was wonderful. _r

Fabulous! My heart warmed and I smiled my way through this. Your last paragraph describes my belief in the One I call God. Being in his/her image, I never have to wonder where I got my sense of humor. Thanks for a wonderful story.

It is a cute story. Of course, the rationalist in me feels the need to point out that 99.9% of the time when people ask for a sign from God(s), nothing happens. (As has been my own experience) And that stories like these tend to become embellished, even by one's own mind, over the course of time. (Well, the lightning actually struck at 93 not 100. Or, actually some of Helen's vague predictions didn't turn out right. Or, the fish was THIS big :)) And that if a God(s) is answering prayers to give signs to well-off kids, why isn't he answering prayers for food from starving kids instead.

Of course, the existence of god(s) can't be proven or disproven by logic alone. To me, the most damning case (pun intended) against religion has been the parts of certain organized religions disproven by science. For instance, the idea of a metaphysical "soul" that's so central to many religions can be shown to be false by neuroscience. Everything that used to be thought of as comprising the "soul," memories, emotions, consciousness, etc, has been proven to be physical in nature - brain matter, chemicals, and processes. (After all, if the "soul" weren't physical, why else would a person's personality often completely change after having a part of their brain damaged or removed) Anyway, I guess I've prattled on long enough. :) Take care, Mime.