Just after my 6th birthday, my parents bought an old house in what was then a rural area. It was purported to be haunted, though Mom and Dad did not mention that to myself nor my brothers and sisters. I remember shortly after moving into the house, I left my bedroom and as I entered the hallway, a misty figure appeared before me. I screamed! Dad came running with Mom just behind him. I told him I saw God. Even now, after so many years, I can still see the knowing look he gave my mother.
You might think that whatever frightened me would have been thrown off by my screams, but the spirit kept coming back to me. He (I’ve always thought it was a he) would playfully lift me up and let me “fly” around the room when my parents were in another part of the house. Our house had high ceilings and he would fly me to the ceiling and let me look down on the room. Now, don’t start thinking I was dreaming or out of my mind. I was as sane as ever.
Of course, as I grew up he ceased letting me fly, but he stayed with me. When I was in high school, Mom and Dad opened up and talked about the ghostly noises they heard, but I kept mum. I thought they wouldn’t believe that their “ghost” and daughter were friends.
When I married, he followed me wherever we moved. I didn’t see him every day, but he would appear and stand next to me from time to time. My ghost was very respectful of my privacy and never entered my bedroom or bathroom, but I would often find him waiting in the hall when I opened the bedroom door.
One day, when my youngest was still small, we were all sitting on the porch sharing stories. I went in to get everyone something to drink. As I opened the refrigerator door, I felt my “friend’s” presence at my side. I turned and quietly said, “You are going to scare my sons.” He left and hasn’t made his presence known to me since.
I miss him and have tried to call him back. I may have released him from whatever bound him to Earth or perhaps he is still here but not making his presence known to me.
This was the first of many such occurrences I have had since then. I have many more stories to tell. Stay tuned, you never know when one will pop up.
About Michelle
Michelle says that she is “a reader, not a writer”. She writes and reviews at Book Chat, a blog dedicated to the books she loves and where she shares advice and information for writers.
She says of herself …
“After college, I entered the workforce, but soon left that behind when my children were born. While raising my sons, I embarked on a fulfilling volunteer path for such groups as our local children’s hospital, church, neighborhood association, PTA, classroom volunteer, Kindervelt, military academy parents’ organization, and Make-a-Wish. Volunteering enabled me to develop lifelong leadership skills and establish an extensive professional and social network. Of course, I have always been a voracious reader, seeking out books that are both fulfilling and enjoyable. I am married to my soul mate and have three amazing adult sons and two wonderful daughters-in-law. My grandchildren bring me the greatest joy imaginable.”
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If you have had a strange experience or encounter that you would like to share, please get in touch with me at findme@scvincent.com (or my usual email if you already have it) and we can discuss a guest post.
I am not looking for sensationalism or fictional tales… but in light of the response to some recent posts, I think it would be both useful and reassuring to others to realise that none of us are alone in these strange encounters and experiences and perhaps we can open discussion on what they may be or may mean.
If you would like to share your story but prefer to remain anonymous, we can discuss that too. If you would like to share your beliefs and opinions on the nature of these experiences, I would be happy to talk about a guest post. Through sharing with respect we may learn to understand our world and each other a little better.
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Thanks for reblogging, Michael 🙂
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Thanks for sharing my story, Michael.
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It’s sad that when you ask them to leave they just go and it does not matter if you change your mind. To bad everyone here on the physical plane won’t do the same lol.
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I often wonder if he heard me call him back? Is he being temperamental?
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Unlike the human plane what we say or think is taken as given.
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Yes, but I’d love for him to show himself again.
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Thanks for posting A Ghostly Figure in the Hall, Sue! It’s fun to put my story out there where it will hopefully encourage others to post theirs. I do believe some people are more receptive to accepting spirits than others.
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I shared this on my blog.
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🙂
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I’m so glad you came ove and shared this, Michelle.
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I had fun doing it.
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🙂
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Pingback: Guest writer – Michelle Clements James – A Ghostly Figure in the Hall – BOOK CHAT
Super story, Michelle. Thanks for hosting Michelle, Sue
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It was my pleasure, John.
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🙂
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Thanks, John. If you know of any way I can get him to come back, let me know.
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🙂
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That’s a lovely story, Michelle, but sad that he disappeared and didn’t come back, especially as you’d been ‘friends’ for so long.
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Thanks, Mary. He hasn’t been back, but there are more stories of others I’ve met.
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Look forward to reading them 🙂
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What a great friend to have.. and he must have been very attached to have followed you.. He is probably there in the background..perhaps one day.. xxx
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I hope so, Sally. I’d like to know his story.
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It would be interesting to know what was on the site of your home at the time. xxx
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It was built in 1865 and I haven’t been able to find out anything more than that.
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A lot going on at that time… fascinating.. hugs xx
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Love and hugs to you, Sally.
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Love your story, Michelle 💖
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Thanks for reading, Cathy.
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Pingback: Guest writer – Michelle Clements James – A Ghostly Figure in the Hall – The Militant Negro™
So touching about your sons Michelle .
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Hi, Shehanne! Thank you. I’m glad you stopped by to read my ghost story.
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My absolute pleasure Michelle. It’s a great story. And also I am loving how Sue’s series dedicated to these experiences is shaping up. It’s brilliant that people are talking xxx
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I agree. There are more people that are receptive to seeing specters than I ever imagined.
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Exactly but we feel silly to say so xxxxxx
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Maybe putting it in writing will help us get over that. Hugs, my friend.
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I think so and I think it is great that others are coming forward, joining in etc xx
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I hope more will do so. xx
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Sue, I hope so too. Even if they don’t you have done brilliantly to get folks to come forwards x
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I have one or two others in the wings 🙂 xxx
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio.
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Thank you, Don 🙂
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You’re welcome
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Thanks so much for reblogging, Don. I am humbled.
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You’re welcome.
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I read every word of this post with my mouth open and in total belief. I have had similar experiences, and it’s amazing how we keep these under wraps so to speak because there are so many people who think we’re just crazy or full of imagination. I think your friend will come back when your mind is really totally open to it. I think your friend went away because you truly did not want your sons to be frightened. I also wonder if it’s easier for us to see these friends when we are younger and our mind less pushing us to block out things that are not on this one plane of existence. I didn’t say this very well but I think you know what I mean. Thank you so much for being brave enough to share this Michelle- thank you Sue!
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Well, if you would like to come over with a guest post yourself, Pamela, you would be most welcome…. 😉
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Thanks Sue. I’ll consider it. So many ghosts, so little time. ;-0 I don’t mean to be light-hearted about it. I take my ghost visitations (or whatever I have experienced) quite seriously and thankfully. xo
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You’ll be most welcome if you get chance to share, Pamela.
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Thanks, Pam. I’m not sure that it makes a difference what age we are. I am doing some research on an old factory and the company town. Several of the homes and the factory are haunted. There are holes in my research and whenever I am near the factory (every day!), I concentrate on contacting these spirits. I want their stories. I need them to complete my research. A couple of weeks ago, two of them came to visit and stayed a short while. I am waiting for them to give me some direction. Sometimes I feel their presence even though they haven’t shown themselves to me since that visit. I think if I am patient, they will show me the way.
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I hope you’re right. Perhaps it’s just ME who was more open when I was younger. I’m beginning to open the doors again…
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Good for you, Pam. Keep opening them. Hugs.
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Fascinating, Michelle! We bought and restored an old Victorian home several years ago. Our youngest daughter was a teenager at the time and would never go upstairs to her bedroom alone, claiming that an old lady dressed in black would watch over her and tuck her in bed. Her vision was confirmed many years later, when an old beau of hers described the ‘ghost’ just as she had seen it. Strange, but true… Thanks for sharing your story. xo
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Wow! Thanks for sharing that amazing story. Have you been able to find any history of this lady? Did she live in the house at one time? I am assuming she did. Hugs.
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We haven’t tried to delve into her story. However, among the home’s treasures was a sketch of a Victorian lady that I hung in the downstairs bathroom. I loved it because of a tiny ‘flaw’ purposely drawn into the portrait. I wonder if she was our ‘ghost’. Lori always talked about how the woman’s eyes followed her and did not appreciate it. When we sold the home in 1997, we left all of the artwork and other Victorian antiques that cam with the house when we bought it. Also, I’ve written a poem entitled “This Old House,” (basically about our restoring the old ghost of a house) but haven’t published it yet. As for Lori’s “ghost,” I have no doubt that she lived in the house and perhaps she still does…
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How exciting! IF the photo was left in the house, it’s a possibility. I would think if it was someone in the former owner’s family, they would have taken the photo with them.
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The portrait sketch was definitely from a bygone era–the two owners prior to us left it in the attach with other artwork and prints from late 1800s and prior, evidently having not interest in the original owner’s history.
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Wow! What a treasure trove!
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Michelle, this is fascinating, yet I guess you probably feel it was not exactly that way when it happened to you. To those of us who have had an experience, it was special and intimate, and something that was simply there. Thank you for a terrific story.
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Thanks, Jennie. I have had so many “events” with different specters and each one fascinates me.
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Oh Michelle, I loved your story! I completely believe your story too. You were so blessed to have that ghost as a friend. So sad that he went away when he thought he was scaring your child. We will never know if he was waiting for a directive to leave while caught in between two worlds or if he just respected your wishes.
If you have more stories, maybe you should consider writing a book about them. At least come back again and share more here. ❤
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Debby, I think I could fill a book about unworldly happenings. I researching a town and factory near where I live that is reported to have many ghosts.
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Oh, that sounds fascinating. Maybe you should fill a book? 🙂 x
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Maybe I will. 😘
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I’ll be looking forward to it Michelle. 🙂 x
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How interesting, Michelle. Clearly he was a benevolent spirit. I wonder if he was there to protect you. Did you ever find out more from your parents? Could he have been a grandparent or something? You know I believe in a horizontal plane of existence and entities can slip back and forth through portals. I hope he makes contact again. I can’t wait to hear more of your stories. ❤
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Colleen, I’m sure he wasn’t a grandparent as all of my grandparents were living at the time and the previous owners told my parents the house was haunted. I wish my parents had been able to tell me more, but apparently, I am the one who knew the ghost better than anyone else. It is frustrating not to be able to know more about him.
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You know, our sweet dog, Spice passed recently. Ron and I see still see her around. Years ago, after my beloved cat passed she came to me one night. I felt her crawl up on the bed with me and snuggle like she used to. I held my arms out and said, Molly – you’re back. Then she was gone. My experience was different than yours but I wonder if the entities go back to the homes they lived in because it is comforting. I like to think your spirit found the light. ❤
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Thanks, Colleen. I am happy your fur family came back to visit. Love and hugs.
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Sue, what an amazing idea. I love it. I will email you at some point. I’m writing two books right now and flipping in and out of those realities. LOL! Thanks for featuring Michelle. I loved her story. ❤
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You would be very welcome, Colleen, as always! ❤
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Thank you, Sue. Hugs! ❤
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Reblogged this on firefly465.
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Oh my goodness, Michelle. That must have been frightening the first time it happened and unnerving the other times. I can’t imagine what it felt like to be flown around the room. That is incredible! Can’t wait to hear other stories. You should write them all down and put them into a book of spirits. Much love & hugs xx Thanks, Sue, for sharing these stories. Can’t get enough. I will contact you soon with my own. Hugs xx
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Thanks, Janice… I’ll look forward to that. xx
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