Embracing the Spirits: True Stories of My Encounters With the Other Side

by Barbara Parks

  Given that Eric had passed away only a week or so ear-

  lier, the registrar was still shaken by the news of his death. She spoke of him with undisguised emotion.

  “He’ll be a very hard act to follow,” she said sadly.

  Then almost as if on cue, a bright light flashed at me from

  an empty chair by the door. It was the same light I had seen

  just a few night’s earlier; again, when my husband I were talking about Eric.

  Stuart was preparing to write a comment on Eric’s Face-

  book tribute page, and wanted to know whether what he pro-

  posed to write was appropriate or not. I asked him what he

  had in mind.

  “Something along the lines of Now you can drink as many

  iced coffees as you like!” said Stuart. “What do you think?”

  I couldn’t help laughing, but my first thought was that per-

  haps Stu’s comment was verging on the disrespectful. Poor

  Eric had indeed been a hefty man in life, so the comment could perhaps be perceived as a not so subtle gibe at his weight.

  “I do like it, but I’m not sure if it’s appropriate …”

  Stu agreed and we were about to leave it at that when sud-

  denly the bright light appeared beside him.

  Flash!

  “Ummm … hang on,” I said. “I think Eric actually likes it!”

  Flash!

  “Eric, you liked that comment about the iced coffee, did

  you?”

  Flash!

  I told Stu what I was seeing and we both began to laugh,

  it was the first time we had felt happy talking about Eric since 158 The Interactions of Others

  his death a week earlier. The more we laughed, the more

  strongly we felt Eric’s energy around us. He was enjoying the

  joke as much as we were.

  As I shared this story with the registrar, I soon discovered

  she had some stories of her own.

  She told me that it was well known that the administra-

  tion building in which we were sitting was haunted; one ghost

  in particular pacing the upstairs hallways with predictable regularity. It was believed that one of the nuns who used to teach at the school maintained her routine vigils, checking on the

  staff and students alike.

  Her presence was especially discernible when the school

  fell still, late in the afternoons or by those brave enough to stay behind and work at night. Many staff members heard the old

  nun’s footsteps, so patently that they’d be convinced someone

  was walking up the stairs. Of course upon investigation, no

  one would be there. The nun was also known to tamper with

  paper work, sending reams of paper rustling on the desktops,

  despite no breath of breeze to have caused them to do so.

  Sam

  The registrar also shared an incredible personal story, about a young family friend named Sam. Fourteen year-old Sam had

  been an avid motocross fan, successfully competing in racing

  events ever since he was old enough to ride. Most weekends

  would find him at some cross country bike track; indulging his passion for motorbikes and speed.

  It was on one such weekend that Sam was killed; fatally

  flung from his motorbike midway through a competition. It

  was the registrar’s son-in-law who cradled young Sam as he

  passed away.

  The Interactions of Others 159

  Sam’s family were beyond devastated, yet gleaned some

  small comfort from the fact that he had been doing what he

  loved when he died. As a tribute to Sam’s passion for his sport, they had his motorbike cleaned and polished, and kept it in

  Sam’s bedroom. It sat parked beside the bed, Sam’s helmet just alongside it on the bedside table.

  Of course his family wanted to believe that Sam was still

  a part of their lives, and hoped that he was still connected to them spiritually. They could almost feel his energy around

  them, so strongly that they felt convinced young Sam was still around. Yet in weaker moments they couldn’t help worrying

  that it was all just a case of wishful thinking.

  This notion was soon to be dispelled, as it wasn’t long

  before they were blessed with a gift that proved Sam’s pres-

  ence beyond a doubt.

  The family decided to take some photos of Sam’s room, as

  they wanted to share them with their family and friends. The

  photographs were to honour Sam and commemorate both a

  life cut short and his passion for motocross. They suspected

  Sam would be more than a little pleased that his beloved

  motorbike had somehow been allowed to assume a prized

  position in his bedroom; it was a nod to the sport he had held so dear. It was an unspoken sign that his parents didn’t blame the sport or his motor bike for their son’s death; they accepted Sam’s fate as his destiny, or at worst just tragically bad luck.

  Taking the photographs had been bittersweet, as despite

  the relentless pain of their loss, Sam’s family couldn’t help thinking that he would be looking on approvingly. They didn’t

  dare imagine that their suspicions would be spectacularly con-

  firmed when they came to download the photos. It was almost

  more than they could fathom.

  160 The Interactions of Others

  Reflected in the visor of Sam’s helmet, beamed a famil-

  iar, happy face; there was no question at all that it was Sam!

  Barely able to comprehend the image before them, his family

  scoured the bedroom for a logical explanation, but there was

  none to be found. There were no photos which could have

  been reflected in the visor; no other boys present who could’ve been mistaken for Sam. They had no choice but to embrace

  the unbelievable, the photograph really had been of Sam!

  It was the best gift they ever could have hoped for and gave

  Sam’s family a great deal of comfort. I have no doubt that

  being able to appear for his parents went a long way in consoling Sam too.

  Nikki and Nigel

  Since first hearing Sam’s story, I’ve been privy to similar examples of post-death visits time and time again. Departed loved ones often go to great lengths to assure those left behind that their spirit lives on. This is never more true than when someone dies prematurely, possibly leaving the earth plane before

  their designated time. Which brings me to the story about

  Nigel; another beautiful soul who called by to visit a loved one for a final goodbye.

  Nigel’s sister Nikki is a very dear friend, despite the fact

  we have never met in person. We were introduced by my sis-

  ter-in-law Fiona, who assured us that we were kindred spir-

  its and would have much in common. Our on-line friendship

  blossomed from the first email we exchanged. Despite living

  on opposite sides of the world, we immediately fell into the

  easy rapport usually reserved for the most intimate of friends.

  We readily exchanged our secrets with little reservation. It was obvious from the first that I had found a lifelong friend.

  The Interactions of Others 161

  Nikki is highly spiritual, with a catalogue of paranormal

  encounters which easily rival my own. She has a sensitivity

  which seems to be becoming progressively more heightened,

  as her innate sixth sense becomes more finely tuned with

  every passing year.

  Given her sensitivity, it wasn’t surprising that Nikki was

  filled by a sense of intense dread on the ni
ght her brother

  Nigel passed away.

  Nikki and her husband Jean Pierre were hosting their

  annual staff party, when some time around midnight, Nikki

  was overcome by an overwhelming sense of trepidation. She

  was convinced it had something to do with Nigel. She horri-

  fied herself by the words which impulsively sprung from her

  mouth, bringing with them an intense feeling of nausea. Icy

  fingers seemed to travel down her spine.

  “Nigel’s dead!” she gasped.

  Jean Pierre tried to reassured his stricken wife, reasoning

  that Nigel was probably tucked up in bed twenty miles away in

  Geneva. They would call him in the morning, which for Nikki,

  couldn’t come quickly enough.

  By first light they were driving to Geneva, as Nigel had

  failed to answer his phone. With every passing mile, Nikki

  became more and more convinced that her brother was no

  longer alive.

  The scene which confronted them in Nigel’s apartment was

  devastating. Nigel was dead; a self-inflicted bullet wound to

  the head. Nikki had known it all along. The police confirmed

  Nigel’s time of death to be some time around midnight, the

  very time Nikki had been overcome by her sense of doom.

  A month later to the day, Nikki’s sense of foreboding

  assailed her once again. Her father had died in her home town

  162 The Interactions of Others

  of Perth, succumbing to a sudden bout of pneumonia. Nikki’s

  devastation couldn’t have been more complete.

  Cocooned within a haze of grief-stricken numbness, she

  and Jean Pierre boarded a plane for Perth; Nigel’s ashes mak-

  ing the final trip home by his sister’s side.

  The memorial service was a joint celebration for father and

  son; as the family conducted a beautiful beachside ceremony

  which saw their ashes scattered over the waters of North Cot-

  tesloe Beach.

  By the time Nikki got home from the service, she was

  exhausted and emotionally drained. She lay on the couch cry-

  ing, after which she fell into a fitful sleep. It wasn’t long before she was woken by someone touching her forehead, after

  which the touch was replaced by a gentle kiss.

  Expecting to see Jean Pierre, Nikki opened her eyes, only

  to see a dark figure quickly moving away from her. In a matter of seconds he had disappeared through the front door. In that

  instant Nikki had no doubt that her visitor had been Nigel, especially since he had mirrored exactly what Nikki had done at his funeral. As Nikki bid her brother a final farewell, she had gently swept her hand across his forehead. She then bent down and gave him a kiss. And now Nigel had returned the favour, by visiting his sister and doing exactly the same as she had done to him.

  Although she didn’t need outside confirmation, Nikki was

  further comforted by her conversation with Dot, a highly

  regarded local medium. Dot recounted Nigel’s memorial day

  visit exactly as it happened; from the light touch on Nikki’s

  forehead, to his gentle, fleeting kiss. He apologised if he had scared her, saying he just wanted to say goodbye.

  Nigel went on to thank Nikki for the white rose; a comment which confirmed her brother’s presence beyond a doubt.

  The Interactions of Others 163

  Nikki had placed a white rose in Nigel’s hand as he lay in his casket, a fact that Dot could not have possibly known.

  Nigel apologised profusely for the pain he had caused his

  family and was desperate to make amends. His physicality had

  let him down; his brain’s chemical imbalances and mental dis-

  tress pushing him to the point where he could see no other

  means of escape. He had clarity and peace now, but he had to

  reassure his family. He wanted them to know he was OK. He

  was desperate for their forgiveness.

  Nikki’s bond with Nigel remains as strong as ever, as both

  travel along their soul’s journey towards being together again.

  Although Nikki’s sense of loss can never be entirely abated,

  the knowledge that Nigel still walks beside her affords her

  some much needed comfort. And for Nigel, being able to get

  his message through to his family has no doubt brought him

  immeasurable peace.

  For those who cross prematurely like Nigel, where there

  will always be some regret for their actions; no matter how

  inevitable choosing to die felt at the time. Once physical-

  ity is taken out of the equation, the spirit gains clarity, seeing beyond the immediate pain which lead to their physical death.

  A moment after this photo was taken, Nigel delightedly

  smashed the snowball over his sister’s head!

  164 The Interactions of Others

  With this broadened perspective comes a sense of one-

  ness; whereby the spirit becomes very much aware of their

  loved ones’ pain. It is these souls who try so very hard to get through, to show their families that they are still around and the love between them will never die.

  So in Nigel’s case, he was indeed very lucky to have a sis-

  ter who is in tune with the spirit world. Both Nigel and

  Nikki were sensitive enough to offer each other comfort, by

  acknowledging that they were still very much a part of each

  other’s lives.

  And for those who perhaps aren’t as in tune to the spirit

  presences around them, rest assured that your loved ones

  remain close despite their physical deaths. So if you have even the slightest inkling that your loved one is around, be sure to acknowledge them: say hello, tell them that you know they

  are there and that you love them. If you are wrong and they

  weren’t there at the time, no harm done. But if your loved one was indeed paying you a visit, you would have just given them

  the greatest gift imaginable.

  Fire!

  It seems that my friend Nikki is by no means alone with her

  spiritual experiences, as evidenced by the story she told me

  about her good friends, the St Clair’s …

  For the most part, the spirit world is subtly enmeshed

  within our own; its occupants mingling unobtrusively among

  us. There are times however that spirits see fit to manifest, or produce physical effects which leave no doubt as to their presence.

  Their motivations for tangibly interacting with the living

  vary as widely as the spirits themselves. Some spirits may be

  The Interactions of Others 165

  trying to offer comfort by showing themselves to their loved

  ones. Or perhaps they are simply providing proof of their

  survival. Less benevolent presences may have more sinister

  motives; and create disturbances to deliberately incite fear. In these instances, the ghostly manifestation may be an expression of unhappiness, confusion or in extreme cases, rage.

  And as was the case with the St Clair family, a spirit may

  appear in order to deliver a well-intentioned warning. You’d

  have thought that living in a three hundred and fifty year old house, one would expect it to have its ghosts. Despite the

  unexplained noises and disembodied footsteps, Vincent and

  Anouk refused to acknowledge that their house could be

  haunted. They were grounded by their busy home and work

  lives, with little time left to entertain the possibility of ghosts.

  Their three children however were more s
ensitive to the

  presences which lingered within its walls, particularly young

  Camille. The St Clairs’ youngest daughter had no doubt that

  their home was haunted.

  In addition to the unexplained noises, Camille was pro-

  vided with further proof of the ghostly presence. One evening

  during dinner, she saw a figure materialise across the room. It peered at the family through the glass of their large aquarium, scrutinising them as they ate. By the time Camille was able to absorb the vision before her, the ghostly presence had gone.

  Despite her insistence that she had just seen a ghost,

  Camille’s parents remained skeptical. It would take more than

  a child’s supposed glimpse of an apparition to convince them

  to think otherwise.

  Not long after the dinner-time visit, the St Clairs awoke

  to find a candle mysteriously burning in the kitchen. Since

  the old house was largely constructed of wood, Vincent had

  166 The Interactions of Others

  banned the children from using candles in the house. He was

  paranoid that their beautiful home would burn down.

  The children were rounded up and quizzed as to who had

  broken the cardinal house rule, but they all insisted that they would never have been so irresponsible. They were well versed

  in the risks of living in an old wooden house.

  Over the course of the next two weeks lit candles began

  appearing all over the house, usually first thing in the morn-

  ing. Even more unnervingly, the St Clair’s were also frequently greeted by the burning candles when returning home after an

  outing.

  Unable to comprehend the mysteriously appearing can-

  dles, and deeply anxious about the associated fire risk, the St Clairs spoke to their neighbours. They wondered if they had

  been playing tricks on them. Or perhaps someone was trying

  to scare them and had been sneaking into their house.

  The neighbours insisted they knew nothing and the mys-

  tery deepened.

  Of some comfort amongst the disturbing, inexplicable

  events, was the fact that the candles always seemed to be carefully placed out of harm’s way. They would most commonly

  appear in the upstairs bathroom, well away from anything

  that could possibly catch light. On many occasions the can-

  dles were placed in the bathtub. It all began to feel increasingly odd.

  By now the candles had spontaneously appeared no less