I blame that Matt Melanson!

Something very strange has been happening to me in about the last thirty days, and it involves... postage! Let me tell you about it. One day Deniese and I were talking about this and that and the subject of stamps came up. I mentioned that I had a large stamp collection, and I collected in particular American stamps, Disney stamps, "space" stamps, and stamps of odd shapes. (I actually collect every stamp I can get my hands on.) I have triangles, diamonds, collectors sheets and even the famous banana stamp. We talked about it quite a bit.

That's not so strange. But then, without warning, Mr. Mo offered to give me some stamps and an album that he had, which I eagerly accepted. It was quite a collection and I look forward to dragging them ALL out (I have some unmounted stamps myself still waiting to be put into books) and seeing what I've got. Now, there was no way he could have heard Deniese and I talking about the stamps. Coincidence? Maybe...

But how do you explain this - my brother in law Chuck who lives thousands of miles away and never ever calls me on the phone, and only *very* occasionally sends me even an email, sends me a letter! Inside is the corner of an envelope with some stamps and a tiny note that says "Randy- Not sure if you still collect stamps, but I thought you might like these from India. Chuck" I don't recall ever telling him I had a stamp collection, but I must have. And like a bolt out of the blue he sends me some stamps. Still coincidence? Read on--

I get a package from my parents. Inside the box (which was completely unexpected and unannounced) there are books on Submarines, Science Fiction, underwear for Dave (hey if he's gonna flash it I guess my parents think it ought to at least look good) and A BOOK ON STAMP COLLECTING. Have I convinced you yet? (cue in Twilight Zone music... )

Most of you probably don't know I collect stamps. It's not like I talk about it all that much, in fact I haven't really been all that active with them (other than stealing stamps from the sheets Deniese buys at various times through the year) for a long, long time. It's one of those hobby things I really enjoy but haven't seem to have been able to find time for. Likely none of you have ever seen my collection, I'm not sure Deniese or Dave have and that says volumes right there. So all these years go by and out of nowhere I am getting all these stamp-encounters. Must be a sign from God! Obviously I should sell everything I have and buy stamps and spread the gospel of stamp collecting!

As silly as that sounds, that's how some people treat religion. Interesting events happen in their lives, maybe several, and it becomes a "sign from God" that they must be "right" or "chosen" or something. They narrowly dodge death. Why? They hear from an old friend that they've been thinking of, someone they haven't heard from or even thought about in years. This friend gives them a message, perhaps with a double meaning, and because they took the call and delayed a couple minutes they weren't there when some accident occurred. Their explanation is that God has saved them for some purpose. While this could be good, usually I run into people who are not interested in the bible, are not interested in what God says, but want to do (conveniently) whatever it is they are already doing and consider themselves "endorsed" by God. You say the bible teaches I must obey? Not me, I've had religious experiences. You think you have the "truth"? Well the Holy Spirit "talked" to me, so what am I going to believe? What you "interpret" from the bible or direct interaction with God? And don't bother reasoning with me, I won't listen.

There's certainly coincidence in the world, that's why we have that long word to describe it. But as far as stamps go, it's not such a stretch as I made it out to be. My parents and Chuck both live in Colorado Springs, and my parents could have easily mentioned the book to Chuck and got them all thinking along the same lines. I send my Dad state quarters for his coin collection (a la Dave Dugas), and he knows I collect stamps as I've done it from my childhood. I just sent him some quarters a few weeks back, which may have made him think of stamps. As for Mr Mo, I saw a letter to the church in his hand a couple weeks ago while he and Bill Krause were talking and I asked for the stamp. Therefore, he knew I collected stamps.

As for Deniese and I, we were talking about stamps because she remarked on a Navy stamp that someone we know got for Christmas. Can you guess who that was? So I'm saying there's an explanation for all the amazing coincidences involving postage. If only our religious friends would be as honest.

Randy