With Halloween fast approaching, it seems a good time to talk about ghosts. Do you believe in ghosts? I'd like to say I didn't, but I've had two experiences that just lead me think... maybe...
The first was a common ghost story- as a teen I heard voices and people walking around upstairs and upon going up found no one home. It was spooky and my friend and I (there were TWO of us hearing it!) were both creeped out. Lots of people have a story like this. The second though, is a bit more complex. Wanna hear? (er, read?)
Of course you do.
(It's kinda long, sorry.)
My freshman year in college, I live about 5 hours (234 miles!) from the school where most of my friends were. (UNA to Auburn, for those of you from Alabama) I spent a lot of weekends driving back and forth between the two. One weekend I made plans to ride down with a friend of a friend. We had never met each other and wouldn't meet until we were loading up to leave. It was storming and we got a late start and then with the rain it was much slower going. Since we didn't know each other, we spent much of the drive talking about our respective boyfriends (who both went to Auburn) and complaining about the drive.
Between Auburn and Birmingham there is the little tiny town, with a little old graveyard. I admit, I didn't remember the name of the town, but a little bit of Googling suggests that it is Waverly. The graveyard is right on the highway. (Or was, I just read something that says the highway has since moved. I haven't made this drive in 8 years or so, so I could be totally wrong on this.) A, my passenger, was telling me that she had heard a ghost story about that cemetery. In her story, there was a young male ghost who stood on the edge of the graveyard and waved to certain passing cars.
Now, I'll grant you that we worked up the possibility in our heads. But I *promise* you, that as we passed the cemetery, there was a teenage boy standing at the end of a stone wall. There was still a drizzle of rain so it was pretty hazy, but he was wearing dark pants and a white shirt with a fedora style hat (NOT a baseball hat or stocking cap or hoodie or anything like that.) As we passed the guy, he WAVED AT US. We were the only car he waved at, in a decent flow of traffic. We were at least 2 hours behind schedule. A did not know what kind of car I drove. This was pre-cell phone, so there was no way she could have set this up. Plus, she was as freaked out about it as I was. Even now, 14 or so years later, I have chills thinking about it. He WAVED at us.
For years, literally, every time I drove past the cemetery I cried. I can feel the way it felt RIGHT NOW. There is just no way that she could have set it up. It HAPPENED. I have goosebumps, now, today, writing this.
Do you have a ghost story? I mean, one that happened to you personally? Do you believe in ghosts?
When we lived in Auburn, we used to go to the Yellow Hammer restaurant in Waverly, so your story brought back memories.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember where exactly it was, but Waverly sounds about right.
ReplyDeleteNo ghosties over here...unless you count the ones the boys have been Ghostbusting.
Ooh, creepy. Cemeteries *shudder* I accidentally walked through one at night once. I think I went to sleep on the floor in my brother's room that night, just for company.
ReplyDeleteThat is so creepy!!! I'll have to tell my husband that since his buddies live in Birmingham they've all probably done that drive a lot too. Great story!
ReplyDeleteI don't have any ghost stories per se, because I count myself a ridiculously bull-headed skeptic, but there was one instance that really creeped me out.
ReplyDeleteWe've had a few odd things (nothing big) happen in our current house. One night I zonked out in bed, turned off the light, etc. I think I remember getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, and I have no memory of turning on the light. I think I just stumbled down the hall lightless. Anyway, the next morning I woke up at 5 or 6am with the LAMP BESIDE MY BED TURNED ON.
I could've left it on in my haze, but I swear I don't think I did. It freaked me out badly enough that I slept with it on for several weeks afterward.
I most certainly believe in ghosts and have seen ghosts a few times. I was always teased when I told someone so I don't usually talk about it.
ReplyDeleteI saw an adult female ghost (which looked NOTHING like my mom, the only women in the house) at the end of my bed when I was a kid. She was in a white flowing dress (and no I hadn't just seen a ghost movie) and she smiled at me. I blinked and she was gone. Have no idea what that's about.
I also saw a child ghost up in the corner of my ceiling one night while being babysat by my brother. He did not do anything to make it appear, he wasn't in the room when it happened and he belives in ghosts too so he believed me.
When I made the mistake of telling someone in school I was called Casper for a year.
My grandmother died in 1989, and in 1994 (I was thirteen) I woke up in the middle of the night to see her standing at the foot of my bed. I had been going through a very hard time, and her serene presence helped me feel better and gave me the most restful night of sleep I'd had in a long time.
ReplyDeleteAlso, she used to move things around on my dad's desk (staplers, paperclips & such) just to let him know she was still there. It creeped him out to not be able to find things where he left them, but I thought it was great that Grandma was still checking in on us.
You've given ME chills!! I'm a scaredey cat and haven't had any ghost experiences, but last night on our camping trip my mom shared a couple with us. My mother-in-law is also convinced that her dogs will haunt her after they have passed away and also mentioned that one day when she and my brother in law were driving by a cemetary he told her with all honesty--that's where I am buried. He was four at the time. OK--gotta get back to reality before I jump out of my skin!
ReplyDelete