I Still Wonder

@akalinus (44366)
United States
June 16, 2024 12:58pm CST
We pulled into a campsite, made dinner for the kids, and settled them down for the evening. After dinner, a couple walked up to our site. We got out two more chairs and started talking. We talked until way past midnight. When we got up, we found that they traveled on. Some other campers came over and asked us who our visitors were. Then, it hit us that we did not know. We never asked their names or anything about their backgrounds but talked as old friends. We never saw them again. Our camp neighbors thought we were related or good friends. I have always wondered what happened. It was a mystery to us. We knew those folks but we didn't. Has anything like that ever happened to you? Can you explain what happened to us?
15 people like this
14 responses
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
16 Jun 24
I had a young man come to my apartment, I never dated. Mysteriously, I wasn't afraid to visit with Allan. He spoke about the goodness of God and he shared scriptures. Then, he pointed out one verse, "Some have entertained angels unaware.'' Allan prayed with me then left and I never saw him again. He was different, nobody in Bay City lets a total stranger inside their home, it wouldn't be safe!
2 people like this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
16 Jun 24
It is strange that he pointed out that verse. It is often the story that a stranger shows up in our life and tells us something special, talks with us in a way others would not understand, and then disappears. We never saw them again and wonder what just happened.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
16 Jun 24
@akalinus Allan said that God's hand was upon my life, I felt encouraged. I'd been dumped after ten years of marriage, with two small children to raise alone. Bruce(my ex) showed up with gifts at Christmas, then he'd vanish.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
16 Jun 24
@akalinus It left scars in our children, not having Dad around.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
16 Jun 24
My two children went to the AuSable River swimming, with their(my ex) father. While Bruce's back was to the river, Chad was sucked into deep water by an undercurrent. When Chad got home, he was acting strange. Later that day he said, "Mom, I need to tell you something. I almost drowned today. A boy on a rubber raft reached out his hand and saved my life. He kept me from drowning!" I asked Chad, who was that boy? He didn't know. The night before, I had a dream that one of my kids drowned. When I woke up, I asked God to please send a guardian angel and HE did!
2 people like this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
16 Jun 24
@kobesbuddy Yes, I absolutely agree. It was a miracle. It happened because God loves you and he has plans for Chad.
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
16 Jun 24
Your story is awesome indeed. An angel on a rubber raft was watching out for your son. I am so glad he was safe and that God heard your prayer. Chad will always remember this.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
16 Jun 24
@akalinus It was a miracle, an example of how caring and loving God is!
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208789)
• United States
16 Jun 24
I sure can't. I guess they were just people you felt comfortable with
2 people like this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
16 Jun 24
We talked way into the night and we did not remember what we talked about. It was so weird.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (40026)
• Toccoa, Georgia
17 Jun 24
My parents will talk to anybody. They strike up conversations with strangers regularly.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (40026)
• Toccoa, Georgia
20 Jun 24
1 person likes this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
20 Jun 24
Some people naturally get along with others. Your parents were good at connecting with people they just met.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
21 Jun 24
@LeaPea2417 It is a lot of fun to talk to people you just met. Sometimes you run into a psycho who attaches herself to you and gives you no peace. I had a neighbor like that once. Midnight or 4 am was as good a time to come knocking or yelling for me as well as during the day.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502208)
• Italy
17 Jun 24
It happened to us during our travels to stop and talk for hours with people we did not know. We just enjoyed talking.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502208)
• Italy
17 Jun 24
@akalinus I agree and to us it happened more than once.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
17 Jun 24
@LadyDuck Do you remember what kind of things you talked to stranger friends about?
1 person likes this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
17 Jun 24
When that happens, it is as natural as talking to someone you have known for years. It is so strange.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
17 Jun 24
They were just outgoing people who enjoyed your company and vice versa. Have a good week.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
22 Jun 24
@LindaOHio You are too kind. We did get along well for the few hours we saw them. I wonder where they are now.
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@akalinus (44366)
• United States
17 Jun 24
We certainly enjoyed their company. I hope they felt the same. I wondered if they left early to avoid us.
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@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
18 Jun 24
@akalinus I don't think so.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
17 Jun 24
If you talked for hours meant you had a lot in common although you did not know who they were.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
17 Jun 24
I have tried to remember the conversation but I don't. It was too long ago and things get lost in the mists of time. You are right, we must have had a lot in common, I just don't remember what.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (84711)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 Jun 24
Maybe you'll run into each other again.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
16 Jun 24
This happened when the kids were young, maybe 40 years ago. My husband has since passed. I never saw those people again. I always wondered if I would.
@RasmaSandra (97957)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 Jun 24
They were just people you felt comfortable with but neither of you thought to exchange names and addresses, That is a shame but who knew you would not see them again,
1 person likes this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
17 Jun 24
Sometimes, people enter our lives for a purpose and then disappear. We are richer for the time we spent together.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238277)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Jun 24
Fellow campers. It's fun how you can have good conversations with people who share similar interests, and never know their names.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Jun 24
I think it is just one of those random meetings where you really relate to someone but that's it. I guess it doesn't happen too often.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
17 Jun 24
It has happened to me before, a connection with a stranger but it is very rare. I can count them on one hand.
1 person likes this
@Shivram59 (50154)
• India
16 Jun 24
Yes;it happened with me in 2002.The central government then had carved out a state neughbouring ours and declared a city as its capital.The people from another city got enraged.They launched a movement that grew violent soon.They gathered by the side of railway tracks and started stoning passenger trains. That same day I was returning from my sister's house by an express train.I was the lone passenger in that compartment. When the train stopped at a junction;a passenger entered in my compartment.On seeing me he screamed;"How are you here?? Do you know you are the only passenger on this train??Are you safe." I was surprised;"Am I the only passenger boarding the train??Really??" He replied;"Yes;you were the only passenger traveling by this train;but now we are two." His destination was my town from where he had to go to a district headquarter. The whole night we kept talking to each other. Till now we never met again.We asked each other's name;but after so many years I have forgotten his Nene.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
16 Jun 24
You were meant to meet him there and talk through the night. I say there are no coincidences.
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@Shivram59 (50154)
• India
17 Jun 24
@akalinus We talked that whole night until the train reached my destination .It was dawn.He left for the bus stand and I for my home. The coincidence was that he entered my compartment and we met each other.Since then we have been friends.
@dya80dya (36805)
16 Jun 24
This happened in the past. We talked to some strangers like they were our friends. But they were strangers.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
16 Jun 24
Where were you at the time? Was it just a chance encounter or were they attending some event you were at?
@2ndchances24 (12187)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
17 Jun 24
We use to live in a few camp sites back in 08 when we lost everything in the housing market, & the camp sites we were in were SNOBS ! ! ! they didn't want any 1 talking to each other UNLESS you knew them?? These days if I lived in a camp site like we use to I wouldn't trust ANY 1 that just showed up to hang out with the way crimes are today & the way people can seem SO NICE & be so evil at the same time PLEASE be careful to who you talk to & what you say cause you NEVER know??
1 person likes this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
17 Jun 24
Thank you. I am aware that not everyone who smiles at you is your friend. I am much more selective now. When someone acts overly friendly, I wonder what they want.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
22 Jun 24
We knew those people and they knew us. We did not know names or life histories and they did not know ours. Somehow, we knew each other. Nearby campers thought we were good friends or relatives. Some things are beyond explaining.
• Cloverdale, Indiana
18 Jun 24
@akalinus that's right, people now days can't be trusted, no matter WHO they are.