Forums · Freaky Experience
My grandparents both passed away several years ago. However, much of their belongings were still in their house because my sister was living there up until a month or so ago.
Well, the other day my mom asked me to go get some photo albums out of an old cedar chest. As a child, my grandmother forbade anyone to mess with anything that in the chest, so I have always respected its sacredness.
So here I am, in an empty house with an old cedar chest. I hesitated a moment - probably out of respect - before opening it. But when I did, I could swear my grandmother came running out of the kitchen (the chest was in an adjacent room). I jumped back and froze for about a minute, waiting to see what would happen next.
Finally, I told my grandmother that I wasn't doing anything I wasn't supposed to be and that mom had asked me to get the stuff out of the chest. At that moment I could feel the tension leave and I no longer felt like I was gonna get it like I would have way back when.
What's even more odd is my aunt was down there a day or two before and she complained about the house "smelling bad". (As a side note, my aunt is co-administrator with my mom over the estate, and she was up to no good.)
I was there again today with both my sisters and we were talking about my experience and my aunt's complaining of the smell, which had never been present any time I've been there in the past and was not present there today or the other day when I was there. My sister who lived there said on occasion - in the room where the cedar chest was - an odd smell would appear but then go away.
Normally these incidents wouldn't trigger any reaction from me as far as ghosts are concerned. But when looked at collectively, I am certain my grandmother has been hanging out in her old home...
Well, the other day my mom asked me to go get some photo albums out of an old cedar chest. As a child, my grandmother forbade anyone to mess with anything that in the chest, so I have always respected its sacredness.
So here I am, in an empty house with an old cedar chest. I hesitated a moment - probably out of respect - before opening it. But when I did, I could swear my grandmother came running out of the kitchen (the chest was in an adjacent room). I jumped back and froze for about a minute, waiting to see what would happen next.
Finally, I told my grandmother that I wasn't doing anything I wasn't supposed to be and that mom had asked me to get the stuff out of the chest. At that moment I could feel the tension leave and I no longer felt like I was gonna get it like I would have way back when.
What's even more odd is my aunt was down there a day or two before and she complained about the house "smelling bad". (As a side note, my aunt is co-administrator with my mom over the estate, and she was up to no good.)
I was there again today with both my sisters and we were talking about my experience and my aunt's complaining of the smell, which had never been present any time I've been there in the past and was not present there today or the other day when I was there. My sister who lived there said on occasion - in the room where the cedar chest was - an odd smell would appear but then go away.
Normally these incidents wouldn't trigger any reaction from me as far as ghosts are concerned. But when looked at collectively, I am certain my grandmother has been hanging out in her old home...
Hi KDogg:
From what you have said, it sure sounds like she may be paying visits there, when family members are around. Perhaps the "smell" is her way of protecting the estate, and letting your aunt know she's aware that she is up to no good. It's terrible, how sometimes when people die, others jump in like vultures, to grab any and every scrap that's worth something. Sometimes the death of a loved one brings out the worst in some people. I'm sure your grandmother knows that and is simply overseeing the process of settling the estate. =)
From what you have said, it sure sounds like she may be paying visits there, when family members are around. Perhaps the "smell" is her way of protecting the estate, and letting your aunt know she's aware that she is up to no good. It's terrible, how sometimes when people die, others jump in like vultures, to grab any and every scrap that's worth something. Sometimes the death of a loved one brings out the worst in some people. I'm sure your grandmother knows that and is simply overseeing the process of settling the estate. =)
KDogg, this reminded me of some incidence that I've experienced recently.
After my mother passed away, we moved the bedroom suit she and my father had for 50 years into our guest bedroom. The anniversary of my mother's passing was a year ago this weekend. I've kept some of my mother's belongings in one side of the dresser, and needing a small item, I opened it up. As soon as I did, my mother's presence was just overwhelming. I sat there and boo-hooed for about 30 minutes, "talking" to her about how much I missed her.
As for the odd odor -- my mother-in-law recently bought her parent's home, both of whom had passed away some time ago. The house had sat vacant for several years, tied up between the heirs, who have fought like cats and dogs with each other. Every time I had been in the house, I had a bad case of the heebie jeebies. The atmosphere was very heavy, very negative (some paranormal activity was reported there while James' grandparents were still living.), it was definitely not a place I would have wanted to spend the night in.
To make a long story short, my mother in law had been in a law suit filed on her by her 3 sisters, saying that she had held up the sale of the house. There was probably some truth there, but not the whole truth, and the daughter who was the executor of the will was really up to some shady business. MIL finally raised the funds needed to purchase the place, ending the law suit.
I had told James my feelings about the creepiness of the place, and he never commented much until the other day when he had gone back into the house. My somewhat skeptical husband turned to me and said, "you know how you felt the negative energy in the house. Do you feel it now?" I replied that I didn't, whatever it was, seemed to have lifted when his mother bought the place. He admitted to me that he had felt the negative presence there also, but now didn't. For him to admit something like that is a bit of a landmark!
I do think that when people are attached to a place, an object, or even a person in life, that attachment can linger after they pass on. I'd be willing to bet the odor in your grandmother's house could very well be her way of making a statement to your aunt that she didn't approve of the way her estate was being handled. It does sound like she is still keeping a watch over things!
After my mother passed away, we moved the bedroom suit she and my father had for 50 years into our guest bedroom. The anniversary of my mother's passing was a year ago this weekend. I've kept some of my mother's belongings in one side of the dresser, and needing a small item, I opened it up. As soon as I did, my mother's presence was just overwhelming. I sat there and boo-hooed for about 30 minutes, "talking" to her about how much I missed her.
As for the odd odor -- my mother-in-law recently bought her parent's home, both of whom had passed away some time ago. The house had sat vacant for several years, tied up between the heirs, who have fought like cats and dogs with each other. Every time I had been in the house, I had a bad case of the heebie jeebies. The atmosphere was very heavy, very negative (some paranormal activity was reported there while James' grandparents were still living.), it was definitely not a place I would have wanted to spend the night in.
To make a long story short, my mother in law had been in a law suit filed on her by her 3 sisters, saying that she had held up the sale of the house. There was probably some truth there, but not the whole truth, and the daughter who was the executor of the will was really up to some shady business. MIL finally raised the funds needed to purchase the place, ending the law suit.
I had told James my feelings about the creepiness of the place, and he never commented much until the other day when he had gone back into the house. My somewhat skeptical husband turned to me and said, "you know how you felt the negative energy in the house. Do you feel it now?" I replied that I didn't, whatever it was, seemed to have lifted when his mother bought the place. He admitted to me that he had felt the negative presence there also, but now didn't. For him to admit something like that is a bit of a landmark!
I do think that when people are attached to a place, an object, or even a person in life, that attachment can linger after they pass on. I'd be willing to bet the odor in your grandmother's house could very well be her way of making a statement to your aunt that she didn't approve of the way her estate was being handled. It does sound like she is still keeping a watch over things!
Wow...you just brought out a memory that I guess I had supressed- I even called my mother, 5000 miles away, to be sure it wasn't a dream. (This would have been fine, except that I forgot the time difference and called my poor 77 year old mom at 1 am...)
About 26 years ago, when I was 10, I was playing in the front yard at the ranch in West Texas where I grew up. The home contained quite a family- my mom and dad, sister, one brother (two were long on their own) my mom's sister (my aunt) and my great aunt, cicille. (weird spelling, but it's correct)
Anyway, only my mom, my sister, and I were home. I was playing out front, as I said, when Cicille's car drove up. She got out and walked into the house- I noticed she was crying, which was odd- women in my family are of the hard, pioneer type- they rarely cry. I was very uncomfortable, as kids usually are when a grownup cries, so I hesitated, but followed her inside a few moments later, to see what was up.
I met my mom in the hallway with a puzzled look on her face. I asked "What's wrong with Aunt Cecille?" and she looked relieved and asked if I had seen her too. I said yeah, and she was crying-and I wanted to know what happend. My sister came up from downstairs at that point (it was a 3 story split level house) and said that she wasn't down there either.
Mom told me that Cecille had rushed in crying and run to her room- she said something like "it's my fault, it's my fault", but didn't speak to mom directly.
My sister saw and heard her too, so she and my mom went in her room to see what was up- but she wasn't there. She wasn't ANYWHERE.
I told them that her car was out front, so she had to be somewhere...we looked and looked, but nothing. My mom went to the kitchen and looked out the window..and noticed that her car was NOT there.
About 10 minutes later, my mom got a call from the Texas State Troopers. Aunt Cecille had been about 40 miles away, driving a friend to the doctors office, when they had an accident- they were both killed. Aunt Cecille T-boned a car when she ran a red light- it WAS her fault. The other driver, btw, was ok- slight injuries, but ok.
Now I know why I repressed this...it's freaking me out, even now. She was REAL- to all 3 of us. Nothing whatsoever to indicate that she was not warm flesh and blood.
Side note- I called my mom, as I said...she also told me to NEVER bring this up to my sister, Jan. I was unaware of it back then, but apparently Jan saw a psychiatrist for over a year because of this experience- she will not talk about it, and she's 46 years old now. I knew she was going to the doctor, but she had had some work done on her nose just prior to this, so I was used to her going to a fairly regular doctor's appoinment. Still, it must have really traumatized her, as we were, and are, extremely close- and she has never mentioned it to me. I was the first one to know about the problems in her first marriage, I was the only one to know about her second child's medical problems for over a year...she told me everything, yet not a peep. Experiences like these really make you think...and they can really rock your world. I think forums like this are fantastic, not only to share information and meet new people, but also as a form of therapy- somewhere you can go to discuss things that are difficult to discuss with even your closest friends and family.
If I were you, I would welcome my grandmother's presence...think of it as a few special, last moments together. I firmly believe that spirits, whatever they truly are, maintain the personality they represent. So if your Grandmother was a warm, friendly person in life, she is without a doubt a warm, friendly person in death. Talk to her, as you have- when taking photos of haunted locales, or EVP's, I always get better results if I ask them to show themselves, and if I can take their picture or record them- I do believe they listen.
Thanks for sharing that- it was fascinating, and in a way, even comforting. To me it proves that we maintain our sense of caring after we pass on.
Carpe Diem,
About 26 years ago, when I was 10, I was playing in the front yard at the ranch in West Texas where I grew up. The home contained quite a family- my mom and dad, sister, one brother (two were long on their own) my mom's sister (my aunt) and my great aunt, cicille. (weird spelling, but it's correct)
Anyway, only my mom, my sister, and I were home. I was playing out front, as I said, when Cicille's car drove up. She got out and walked into the house- I noticed she was crying, which was odd- women in my family are of the hard, pioneer type- they rarely cry. I was very uncomfortable, as kids usually are when a grownup cries, so I hesitated, but followed her inside a few moments later, to see what was up.
I met my mom in the hallway with a puzzled look on her face. I asked "What's wrong with Aunt Cecille?" and she looked relieved and asked if I had seen her too. I said yeah, and she was crying-and I wanted to know what happend. My sister came up from downstairs at that point (it was a 3 story split level house) and said that she wasn't down there either.
Mom told me that Cecille had rushed in crying and run to her room- she said something like "it's my fault, it's my fault", but didn't speak to mom directly.
My sister saw and heard her too, so she and my mom went in her room to see what was up- but she wasn't there. She wasn't ANYWHERE.
I told them that her car was out front, so she had to be somewhere...we looked and looked, but nothing. My mom went to the kitchen and looked out the window..and noticed that her car was NOT there.
About 10 minutes later, my mom got a call from the Texas State Troopers. Aunt Cecille had been about 40 miles away, driving a friend to the doctors office, when they had an accident- they were both killed. Aunt Cecille T-boned a car when she ran a red light- it WAS her fault. The other driver, btw, was ok- slight injuries, but ok.
Now I know why I repressed this...it's freaking me out, even now. She was REAL- to all 3 of us. Nothing whatsoever to indicate that she was not warm flesh and blood.
Side note- I called my mom, as I said...she also told me to NEVER bring this up to my sister, Jan. I was unaware of it back then, but apparently Jan saw a psychiatrist for over a year because of this experience- she will not talk about it, and she's 46 years old now. I knew she was going to the doctor, but she had had some work done on her nose just prior to this, so I was used to her going to a fairly regular doctor's appoinment. Still, it must have really traumatized her, as we were, and are, extremely close- and she has never mentioned it to me. I was the first one to know about the problems in her first marriage, I was the only one to know about her second child's medical problems for over a year...she told me everything, yet not a peep. Experiences like these really make you think...and they can really rock your world. I think forums like this are fantastic, not only to share information and meet new people, but also as a form of therapy- somewhere you can go to discuss things that are difficult to discuss with even your closest friends and family.
If I were you, I would welcome my grandmother's presence...think of it as a few special, last moments together. I firmly believe that spirits, whatever they truly are, maintain the personality they represent. So if your Grandmother was a warm, friendly person in life, she is without a doubt a warm, friendly person in death. Talk to her, as you have- when taking photos of haunted locales, or EVP's, I always get better results if I ask them to show themselves, and if I can take their picture or record them- I do believe they listen.
Thanks for sharing that- it was fascinating, and in a way, even comforting. To me it proves that we maintain our sense of caring after we pass on.
Carpe Diem,
KDogg, I agree with the others that your Granmother was likely paying a visit and expressing her feelings on the situation. Loved ones will use various things to get our attention odors included. I also feel that our personalities remain the same once we have crossed over. I recently learned that some of the activity in our home was signs from loved ones. This came out in a very emotional reading I had with a gifted medium. I spoke of that experience in another post so I will hold off from repeating myself here.
As Jamie has said continue to talk with her and welcome her presence. I feel things like this are a wonderful gift loved ones give to use to let us know that they are still with us and watching over us.
Jamie and Carrie those were very interesting and eye opening experiences you both had as well.![[Shock]](graemlins/shock.gif)
Jamie I can understand why that had such a great impact on all of you and why you repressed it. I agree it does make you think. Although at times the experience can be frightening for me no matter unsettling or comforting it is evidence that life does go on once life as we know it here ends.
Hugs all, Cat
As Jamie has said continue to talk with her and welcome her presence. I feel things like this are a wonderful gift loved ones give to use to let us know that they are still with us and watching over us.
Jamie and Carrie those were very interesting and eye opening experiences you both had as well.
Jamie I can understand why that had such a great impact on all of you and why you repressed it. I agree it does make you think. Although at times the experience can be frightening for me no matter unsettling or comforting it is evidence that life does go on once life as we know it here ends.Hugs all, Cat