When Ghosts Speak - Mary Ann Winkowski [84]
“Oh my God!” their mother cried, rushing down to the bottom of the stairs where the boys had landed. They were both extremely shaken, but fortunately unharmed.
“What happened?” asked their mother, alarmed.
“We keep telling you!” cried the twin who had stumbled, his eyes welling with tears. “It’s that man! He was down here again! We were coming to get you when he suddenly appeared on the steps, right in front of you.”
“He growled at us,” the other one piped in timidly. “He’s scary.”
The mother felt the hair on her neck stand up, and she glanced around at the basement. Despite the bright colors and veritable wonderland of toys, the room did feel sinister in a subtle way. It was something she’d noticed before but never really consciously thought about. She recalled her husband’s experiences during the renovation: his accidents, his bad moods.
When she called me, I knew right away that there was something negative in the house. Not an evil entity, but definitely the ghost of a negative person. And that’s exactly what I found when I visited their home: an angry older man who disliked children. He had once lived in the house and was extremely unhappy when the basement—his basement—was turned into a playroom. The ghost of this older gentleman was pleasant when I spoke with him and quite happy to cross over when I gave him the option. With peace restored, the family could finally settle into their dream home.
Earthbound spirits often seem particularly reluctant to leave theaters. At any given time, most theaters are filled with earthbound spirits. Of course, this makes perfect sense. Not only is there a constant flow of energy—from stagehands and mechanics working on the sets to actors rehearsing scenes to theatergoers lost in the drama playing out before them—but many theater ghosts are acting wannabes or starstruck fans or directors, designers, or other behind-the-scenes professionals with control issues. When I began working on Ghost Whisperer, I discovered that the same holds true for soundstages and Hollywood lots. Not surprisingly, the film industry attracts earthbound spirits for the same reasons as the theatrical business.
In my experience, earthbound spirits who are attached to places rather than individuals are mostly quite willing to cross over when I offer them the option. Because they do not have any specific unfinished business or need to communicate with the living, I can usually persuade them to move on to somewhere that is better for them.
You Took My Things
Ghosts can end up in your home when you bring in an object that was once theirs. Whether you inherit your great-aunt’s silver or are a flea-market enthusiast, the more secondhand, antique, or hand-me-down items you have in your home, the greater your chances of collecting a few ghosts as well.
I am still amazed by the objects that can exert such powerful holds. Some seem more obvious than others. I’d estimate that about 75 percent of all estate jewelry comes with a ghost attached. Many women stay to look after their favorite diamonds; men worry about their expensive watches and are very attached to their cars. I’ve come across ghosts who have stayed to keep track of mink coats, bedroom sets, or wedding gowns. I’ve even encountered a few who were so sentimental about a set of dishes or a treasured shaving mug that they refused to cross over until they knew what would happen to it.
I did some work for a woman I’d first met when her husband suddenly died, leaving her a young widow with two small children. She had asked me to come to the funeral, and I was able to help her by sharing some important information about the family’s finances from her husband.
Many years later, I got another call from her when renovations on her home revealed a shocking surprise. This woman, it turns out, was an avid flea-market shopper. She collected vintage silverware and