When I was 20 years old, and stationed in the USAF, in Rome, New York, I had come home to my little apartment off-base one evening. I went about settling in, but kept feeling eyes staring me in the back of the head. Well, I had been reading the Necronomicon and figured it was just my imagination running away with me.
I fed my cats, Sammy and Bebop, and was walking through my living room when I felt these eyes staring at the back of my head again. I said to myself, "you are being silly" and at that time the room went cold. It was winter time, but the temperature drop was noticable and I could see my breathe in front of me. Before my mind had time to completely register this fact, I felt a cold hand grip my left shoulder. I froze in place and cried like a baby for a couple of minutes.
I shrugged it off and chalked it up to an overactive imagination.
When I returned to work at the Air Force Base the next morning, I had a message that my grandfather in Ky. had died the night before. I believe to this day that he had stopped to say goodbye to me.
Ravenheart

Oh cool (pun not intended but still enjoyed by me... ) Ravenheart.

I don't believe in "good-bye" ... to me, that is permanent... and even those that die are not totally out of touch with us...and not forever.

Then again, that's my opinion. =)

Starlight,

I agree with you.

My grandfather had untreated PTSD from serving on "Body Detail" in both World War I and II. He overcame alcoholism, just as my father and I did. He (pa-pa) was very difficult to understand when he talked and so communication was next to mpossible for the two of us...we always needed an interpreter, either his wife ( my Grandmother) or one of my parents. So, I think what I really meant to say is that, "he stopped by to say he loved me."

Ravenheart

That is a wonderful story, Ravenheart. Thank you for sharing that experience. I also believe that "good-byes" are never final and the spirits of our loved ones drop in to visit us periodically, especially in times of need. During times when I've been under great stress, I could always feel their presence around me and even smell my grandmother's perfume. =)

I wanted to respond to your mentioning your overcoming alcholism (and your father and grandfather). I'm glad to hear it.
I think of it as a day to day thing overcoming it but it's been day to day for ten years now for me.

It was nice to read that you did.

Keep up the good work.