Embracing the Spirits: True Stories of My Encounters With the Other Side by Barbara Parks (best ereader for graphic novels txt) 📗

“He’ll be a very hard act to follow,” she said sadly.

Then almost as if on cue, a bright light flashed at me from

an empty chair by the door. It was the same light I had seen

just a few night’s earlier; again, when my husband I were talking about Eric.

Stuart was preparing to write a comment on Eric’s Face-

book tribute page, and wanted to know whether what he pro-

posed to write was appropriate or not. I asked him what he

had in mind.

“Something along the lines of Now you can drink as many

iced coffees as you like!” said Stuart. “What do you think?”

I couldn’t help laughing, but my first thought was that per-

haps Stu’s comment was verging on the disrespectful. Poor

Eric had indeed been a hefty man in life, so the comment could perhaps be perceived as a not so subtle gibe at his weight.

“I do like it, but I’m not sure if it’s appropriate …”

Stu agreed and we were about to leave it at that when sud-

denly the bright light appeared beside him.

Flash!

“Ummm … hang on,” I said. “I think Eric actually likes it!”

Flash!

“Eric, you liked that comment about the iced coffee, did

you?”

Flash!

I told Stu what I was seeing and we both began to laugh,

it was the first time we had felt happy talking about Eric since 158The Interactions of Others

his death a week earlier. The more we laughed, the more

strongly we felt Eric’s energy around us. He was enjoying the

joke as much as we were.

As I shared this story with the registrar, I soon discovered

she had some stories of her own.

She told me that it was well known that the administra-

tion building in which we were sitting was haunted; one ghost

in particular pacing the upstairs hallways with predictable regularity. It was believed that one of the nuns who used to teach at the school maintained her routine vigils, checking on the

staff and students alike.

Her presence was especially discernible when the school

fell still, late in the afternoons or by those brave enough to stay behind and work at night. Many staff members heard the old

nun’s footsteps, so patently that they’d be convinced someone

was walking up the stairs. Of course upon investigation, no

one would be there. The nun was also known to tamper with

paper work, sending reams of paper rustling on the desktops,

despite no breath of breeze to have caused them to do so.

Sam

The registrar also shared an incredible personal story, about a young family friend named Sam. Fourteen year-old Sam had

been an avid motocross fan, successfully competing in racing

events ever since he was old enough to ride. Most weekends

would find him at some cross country bike track; indulging his passion for motorbikes and speed.

It was on one such weekend that Sam was killed; fatally

flung from his motorbike midway through a competition. It

was the registrar’s son-in-law who cradled young Sam as he

passed away.

The Interactions of Others 159

Sam’s family were beyond devastated, yet gleaned some

small comfort from the fact that he had been doing what he

loved when he died. As a tribute to Sam’s passion for his sport, they had his motorbike cleaned and polished, and kept it in

Sam’s bedroom. It sat parked beside the bed, Sam’s helmet just alongside it on the bedside table.

Of course his family wanted to believe that Sam was still

a part of their lives, and hoped that he was still connected to them spiritually. They could almost feel his energy around

them, so strongly that they felt convinced young Sam was still around. Yet in weaker moments they couldn’t help worrying

that it was all just a case of wishful thinking.

This notion was soon to be dispelled, as it wasn’t long

before they were blessed with a gift that proved Sam’s pres-

ence beyond a doubt.

The family decided to take some photos of Sam’s room, as

they wanted to share them with their family and friends. The

photographs were to honour Sam and commemorate both a

life cut short and his passion for motocross. They suspected

Sam would be more than a little pleased that his beloved

motorbike had somehow been allowed to assume a prized

position in his bedroom; it was a nod to the sport he had held so dear. It was an unspoken sign that his parents didn’t blame the sport or his motor bike for their son’s death; they accepted Sam’s fate as his destiny, or at worst just tragically bad luck.

Taking the photographs had been bittersweet, as despite

the relentless pain of their loss, Sam’s family couldn’t help thinking that he would be looking on approvingly. They didn’t

dare imagine that their suspicions would be spectacularly con-

firmed when they came to download the photos. It was almost

more than they could fathom.

160The Interactions of Others

Reflected in the visor of Sam’s helmet, beamed a famil-

iar, happy face; there was no question at all that it was Sam!

Barely able to comprehend the image before them, his family

scoured the bedroom for a logical explanation, but there was

none to be found. There were no photos which could have

been reflected in the visor; no other boys present who could’ve been mistaken for Sam. They had no choice but to embrace

the unbelievable, the photograph really had been of Sam!

It was the best gift they ever could have hoped for and gave

Sam’s family a great deal of comfort. I have no doubt that

being able to appear for his parents went a long way in consoling Sam too.

Nikki and Nigel

Since first hearing Sam’s story, I’ve been privy to similar examples of post-death visits time and time again. Departed loved ones often go to great lengths to assure those left behind that their spirit lives on. This is never more true than when someone dies prematurely, possibly leaving the earth plane before

their designated time. Which brings me to the story about

Nigel; another beautiful soul who called by to visit a loved one for a final goodbye.

Nigel’s sister Nikki is a very dear friend, despite the fact

we have never