Although I have never actually seen one, I have always believed in ghosts. I remember my father telling us a story of his own personal encounter with a ghost while he was growing up in Scotland. When he was a child he had ‘crossed over’ and came back, having to learn to speak all over again. I was brought up to believe there are many things that happen in this world that can not be explained.
My father died after a long number of illnesses a few years ago. I went to visit him in the hospital during his last days. I knew his time had arrived and I felt worried and afraid. He would stare at me as I sat in the chair opposite his bed, feeling that there was somebody there next to me. As I watched him getting wheeled away down the corridor he was tightly wrapped up. ‘I feel like a mummy’ he said; he did not seem worried as he had died before and was happy to go.
One night after his funeral, as I lay asleep in my bed, I felt something cold upon my hand. To say it was ‘icy cold’ sounds like a cliche, but it was. Not only that, but it felt like a breeze passing my hand, which I thought most peculiar. I instantly opened my eyes, sat upright in the bed and called out to my dad. I believed it was him saying his final goodbye.
Some time later, when I told my mother this story, she told me of something similar. Co-incidentally, around the same time, my sister was sitting alone in her house, when she felt the presence of our dad behind her. Interestingly enough, neither one of us had experienced this situation before or since. Was this really a ghostly visit from our dead father, saying his final goodbyes, or was it just our imaginations? Our imaginations that happened to be on a similar wavelength at the same time? (Now cue the music from The Twilight Zone :))
Do you believe in ghosts? Have you experienced your own ghostly encounter? I’d love to hear your stories.
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I haven’t Debbie but am willing to believe in anything as nothing is stranger than the truth. And how can one say something is not so or does not exist if they have never experienced it, seen it or otherwise. Life is fantastical. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Dimity. The truth always seems to be stranger than fiction. Unfortunately, some people don’t want to believe in it. I’m sure many people, like my own father for example, have kept things to themselves, so they don’t get labeled ‘an idiot’. Thanks for your thoughts.
That does sound true. I haven’t had any ghostly encounters myself but my best friend’s brother had a vivid encounter while out jogging. That was in England too.
Hi Catherine. Oh, that sounds exciting – you’ve got me curious now! 🙂
Hi Debbie,
I love hearing about real life ghost stories and yes I am a big believer. Strangley, many of my friends are believers too. A few of my friends want to travel as a group to Scotland to visit the old castles and haunted buildings. I don’t know if I’m that game.
I’ve had a few encounters, mostly as a child. I would sleep with the light on and sleep on the floor of my parents and brothers bedrooms for most my childhood.
I didn’t wake them and say, ‘I see dead people,’ lol, but as a child I was scared out of my wits seing ghosts in my room.
My friends ghost stories from when she was a young girl living in England have inspired me to write a book. I’ve taken many notes and exaggerated characters and added things that weren’t there, but the only problem is who would I target? Is it too scary for kids ages upper primary?
Hi Renee. A trip to Scotland to visit haunted castles and buildings sounds awesome. I’d love it! I would really love to visit some of the old haunted houses and buildings within Australia; that might be a good start at the moment. 🙂
It’s great to hear that you’ve been inspired to write a book about ghosts. I seem to have ghosts in some of my own WIPs, including one I intend to write as a series. My stories tend to be YA and middle grade. Best of luck with it Renee!