I grew up in a fairly old house, built in the late 1800’s. Although I never did the research to confirm its origin, I have been told that back when my hometown was mainly farmland (a part of the Providence Plantations) our house belonged to the assistant superintendent. The house next door was much bigger (including spiral staircases and servant quarters) with all sorts of weird secret passageways, and was believed to have been the superintendent’s house. I’m sure that in their day they must have both been stunning mansions.
Overtime both houses were converted into multi-family units, as was the state of our family home when I lived there throughout the 70’s and 80’s. The house was bought my great grandfather, and passed down to my grandmother. Sometime during the late 60’s or early 70’s my parents bought the house from my grandparents, who continued to live in the front apartment. While there was nothing particularly special about our middle section of the house, it had a very “old” feeling to it. I could always sense the energy of days gone by, almost as if it had been soaked into the walls.
I’ve been into the paranormal for a long time. The paranormal, however, has only questionably been into me. Both personal experiences that I have held onto for years have been immediately disregarded by my family members. They stand firm that the doll that I insist was moving and spoke to me in my bedroom (I SWEAR I WAS AWAKE!!!!) was nothing more than a dream. My sister also insists to this day that I could not have seen ginger bread men dancing on my parents’ bedroom roof (again, I was awake and out of bed walking around), which was an extension off the original house and could be viewed from my own bedroom window. She was so pleased when I dragged her out of bed to see them. Sadly, by the time I had brought her to the window they had disappeared. Incidentally, the doll in question was sitting in front of the very same window that I claim showcased the ginger bread man activity!!! My daughter has a doll that looks a lot like her…and it kind of freaks me out.
Moving on, I’ve heard many stories from friends who have either experienced paranormal activity themselves or know of the experiences of others. I have one friend who has seen the holy grail of the paranormal…a full body apparition. Still others will claim just the feeling of something else being in the room with them and the sense of being watched.
I love the show Ghost Hunters, and although I find it horribly flawed also peek in on Paranormal State (the show generally investigates and exercises the entity within the half hour segment of most episodes…um, OK). Both have been airing new episodes recently, and each one discussed having an uncomfortable experience in a basement. Clients expressed the feeling of being watched, unwelcome feelings while standing in the room, and a general need to get out of there. It actually resonated very strongly with me, and memories of the basement in my parents’ old house have come flooding back to me.
I always hated our basement. My dad used it as a work room, and in addition to storage I believe there was also a spare freezer and pantry down there. Even in the light of day with the lights on and the sun shining through the tiny windows, I never felt comfortable in that place alone. The feeling of being watched was so strong, that I would finish whatever task brought me down there as quickly as possible and get out of there. The fear was so great at times that I was convinced when my back was turned that there was something standing directly behind me. The hair on the back on my neck would stand on end, and I would be covered in goose bumps. I would focus on the top of the stairs and bound up them as quickly as I could, and without looking shut the door behind me.
This went on from when I was old enough to walk down there (I’m guessing around 4-5 years old) until we moved out when I was about 15. It was beyond any general childhood fear, but I treated it as if it was just that. By my early teenage years I was hanging out in graveyards and walking through the dark woods of Natick with my friends. We would walk past the hearse that (we hoped) was used to transport meat from the nearby deli and even though we could barely see a foot in front of us, we would make our way through the forest paths to a very dirty and uncivilized fort to attempt to smoke cigarettes and drink crème de menthe spiked mouthwash. Sometimes we weren’t alone; other strangers and animals would be seen walking the woods as well. What I’m getting at here, is I didn’t exactly scare easily. But that basement scared the shit out of me. I’m starting to wonder in hindsight if perhaps there was a very negative energy or even an entity down there.
I don’t think I ever brought it up to any of my family members, and I have no idea if I was the only one that felt this way. Maybe I will….although I still insist on the doll and the gingerbread men, so I’m not sure I’ll like their responses! I believe there is also something to be said for having a tendency towards clairvoyance, and the ability to open doors to energy, both good and bad. I have been told by seers, and some slightly crazy family members, that I have it. So, maybe it was just me. Anyone else have run-ins with the paranormal?
