The Stories that Haunt Us

Hello all. Rabbit in a Hat Hook'er here.

Fall is coming. Our fair state of Utah has that lingering chill that lasts throughout the day. The leaves are beginning to change around their edges.

Its the perfect time to start thinking ghost stories.

Just for now, let's put aside all judgment about whether or not ghosts actually exist. Let's welcome in early fall with an open mind while I introduce you to my pint-sized poltergeist, Emily.

Little Emily has been a mainstay in my life ever since I became a mother. She just kind-of added herself to my brood and remains underfoot even to this day.

The most interesting thing I find about her, is that she doesn't haunt one single building or plot of land. She haunts me. Much like the characters running around in our heads, I can't seem to escape her. Not that I've really tried. She's pretty harmless with the exception of a bouncy ball or two thunked off the top of my head.

My children seemed the first to recognize her presence. They were nervous about going into their playroom--as children often are about large, oddly shaped rooms. At first, I didn't think anything of it. But when my two-year-old announced there was a "ghosss in there" I was a surprised. I didn’t even think she knew what a ghost was!

Toys would sound off in the middle of the night, and of course it always had to be the ones with voices or animal noises. Why my little ghostie doesn’t appreciate simple building blocks or baby dolls, I’ll never know.

My first visual encounter happened during a little game of hide and seek. I entered my youngest daughter's room to find the closet door cracked open. The lights off. I pushed the door open wide to the sight of a little girl with shoulder-length, dark hair. Her head bowed and an Awe-you-found-me look on her face. The first thought that sprang to my mind was, This is not my child!  I jumped. My heart jumped too, right into my throat. But before I could even take a step back, she was gone!

It wasn't until I spent a few months at my sisters house, that I discovered Emily's fascination with me. My sister walked into her living room where I was sleeping on floor, and found a small girl perched on the sofa. Staring down at me! My sister told me later,

"At first I thought it was my daughter, just as I was about to tell her to go back to bed and leave aunt Kacey alone, she disappeared. I told my husband, 'I think our house guest has a house guest.'"

Could Emily be only a figment of my imagination? Maybe. Maybe not. But I will tell you one thing. Much like the characters running around in our heads, Emily won't be going away any time soon. Her story must be told.

I'll be lurking around the blog all day today. Feel free to ask any questions you have about Emily, and feel free to share any stories of your own!