‘Small miracles’ connect to HE>i (He is greater than i) story

My deadline was hovering back in 2014 — nothing unusual for a writer — but I was in Hawaii with no column and no leads for a story. There is some anxiety when I am in the Tri-Cities, but there are resources, usually friends or the Tri-City Herald. When worry overtakes me and nothing seems to be coming my way, I give a “shout out” to God.

On this particular occasion, I had practically been yelling for a Light Notes idea. An inspirational story would truly be a godsend. But how would I find one in Wahiawa while taking care of the grandkids? The situation seemed hopeless from what I could see and I felt certain it would take a near miracle.

Little did I know, God had more than one planned.

“There’s only one thing I want to do before I leave tomorrow,” I had said to my daughter, Traci, who had just gotten home from travel to the mainland. “And that’s a trip to Matsumoto’s for shaved ice.”

Since I had taken care of 11-year-old Hunter and Hailey all week, every day an early release from school, Traci was grateful and happy to thank me for her mini-vacation. So, off we headed to Oahu’s North Shore, about a 35-minute drive from their home at Schofield Barracks.

Our first stop was for shaved ice with the twins hopping on one foot and then the other as the line extended out the door. Then, once our “sweet tooth” was happy, their mom herded us across the street for her healthy acai fruit bowl. Another line awaited us.

But sometimes waiting puts a person in the right place at the right time. While I browsed in the boutique next door, Traci spent her wait time eavesdropping.

“Remind me to tell you about that guy who was behind me in line,” Traci whispered upon my return as she discreetly pointed in the direction of the menu bar where he now stood.

I noted the 20-something in a plaid shirt and flip-flops and then turned my thoughts to perusing the quaint main street shops. Beach towels, handmade jewelry and colorful T-shirts beckoned and it would be an hour or more before we headed back home.

“You were going to tell me about that guy,” I said as we drove down the highway.

“Well,” Traci said as she kept her eyes on the road, “I heard him talking about how his HE>i (HE is greater than i) business got started. And since I was wearing one of the T-shirts, and Hunter was too, I asked if he’d let me take a picture of them together.”

I gasped. This was the perfect story for Light Notes; a young entrepreneur who was running an inspirational lifestyle logo business. But now we were miles away and who knew where he could be in Haleiwa — or if he would still be there — even if I went back. Even so, the thought to at least try persisted.

“You might go to the HE>i store,” Traci said as I grabbed my laptop and jumped into the car.

While I raced toward Haleiwa, afternoon traffic building on the two-lane road, I knew it would be a “God thing” if I connected to my story source. As I wheeled into the HE>i parking lot, I could hardly believe what I was seeing. There was the young man in plaid crossing in front of me to get into his car, a huge box in his arms.

“Excuse me!” I said, my voice a shout as I braked and simultaneously rolled down my window. “I work for a newspaper in Washington state and I’d like to tell your story.” And then I added, “My daughter took a picture of you with my grandson.”

A smile crossed his face and then a quick promise that he would be right back.

“You’re lucky to have caught him today,” said a sales assistant as I set up my computer on their store counter. “He’s usually not here.”

Another cue this HE>i story needed telling?

Before long, Kaimana Plemer returned, ready for our interview as customers browsed T-shirts and other items nearby. Silently, I prayed that God would give us a connection, a feeling of trust so vital to a good story.

“So where in Washington are you from again?” Kaimana said as my hands were poised on the keyboard.

Reaching for my Tri-City Herald badge, I explained there were three cities together, all on the east side of the state.

Kaimana’s face brightened as he said, “I have friends from Pasco. Do you know Scott and Tiffany Smiley?”

My mouth dropped. Not only did I know about Army Capt. Scott Smiley who authored the book Hope Unseen, but I had also interviewed him sometime earlier.

I sat in silent amazement. What were the chances that Kaimana and I would have mutual friends on the mainland, much less in my hometown? And what about the other coincidences — a spontaneous drive, an overheard conversation, a fortuitous face-to-face encounter — that brought me the opportunity to tell the HE>i story?

And what a story! One that reminds us to be humble and to live as Kaimana said, “Jesus, others and then me.” It is on the Tri-City Herald website under the headline, “ Oahu’s North Shore HE>i logo catches a wave.”

As I reflect on all that happened that day, I believe it wasn’t chance but God’s perfect timing of “small miracles.”

And to think, I had only asked for one.

This story was originally published August 15, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "‘Small miracles’ connect to HE>i (He is greater than i) story."