I used to think that lightening was like a flashbulb, so you better not be doing anything bad or else the angels or God would see. So smile, just in case it's a picture. Also, if a flash from the reflection fo the sun on a car's windshield or other object would do the same. I did a lot of "freeze and smile" because I wanted to be remembered to be a good little girl who smiled a lot.
A childhood belief about thunder and lightning

others believed things like this
- My friend believed that when lightening flashed, you better smile because God was taking your picture! — Linda from Southern California
- I was told as a young child that if I didn't smile going past the police station, I wouldbe arrested.Anon
- when i was young i thought god was a cloud, big white fluffy cloud floating around with 2 eyes and a smile. — kerrie
- i always thought I was the reflection and your reflection was a personAnon
- I used to think the "Cold War" was a war where countries tried to freeze each other to win the war. Anon
- When I was little I swallowed an ice cube and thought I was going to freeze.
— Squirrel 1254