Mama,<br><br>I loved your post. We did something like your behavior to reassure our kids in electrical storms. We eagerly looked for the biggest lightning bolts & counted the second until the thunder to measure the distance from the strike. Of course we also explained the mechanics of lightning & cautioned them of the dangers. <br><br>To encourage good safety practices, I recounted my experience when lightning struck 30' from me causing in me only some minor disorientation. I initially thought the rifle I was target shooting had blown up. Slowly I realized I had also be shocked. I felt the electricity come throught the rifle's trigger. The clap of the thunder was overwhelming. Then I heard the cries of the rangemaster who had also been 30 feet from the strike. Unfortunately he was on a land line telephone reporting some lightning fires when the lightning bolt struck through the phone line. The ear he had to the phone suffered a ruptured eardrum. He had to be hospitalized.<br><br>Mama, I also love your birthday request. If I were'nt already married...<br><br>John