GHOSTLY INSIGHTS #1

Ghostly Insights By  Cindy

   Ghosts are all around us. For most people this is a scary thought, but for me it is fascinating. I have researched ghost hunting for many years, and have operated my own club for the last two. Our investigations take place in a wide variety of places, from private homes and businesses to cemeteries. Yes, I am one of those “kooks” nosing around the graveyard in the middle of the night. Believe it or not, I am one of several thousand folks around the world who practice this unusual hobby. We come in all shapes and sizes, many different religions, and almost all age groups. This column will explore the mysterious world of ghosts and those who seek them out.

   What may surprise you is the difference between what happens in a horror movie and what ghost hunters really do. We do not use séances or Ouija boards. We don’t belong to cults, and most of us hold full-time jobs. We consider ourselves to be amateur scientists, trying to discover the answer to an age-old question: what happens after death?

   One thing that separates most ghost hunters from other people is the lack of fear. Those with whom I have come into contact in this unique field agree that we are far more fearful of the living than the dead. I will admit that at times during certain investigations I have been uncomfortable and nervous. Let’s face it; we are taught to be afraid of ghosts from the time we are children. This lesson must be un-learned if one wants to hunt for ghosts.

   Although this sort of thing is usually only popular in October, every day is like Halloween for ghost hunters. There are clues for identifying us. Perhaps you have noticed us at a public event or museum. We are the ones taking pictures of the ceilings, empty stairways, and asking the person in charge if the lights can be dimmed just a little. We look for ghosts wherever we go, and we do it year-round.

   According to polls, about sixty percent of the U.S. population believes in ghosts. I have met three types of people: those who believe in ghosts, those who don’t, and those who won’t admit it. My favorite encounter is when I ask: “Do you believe in ghosts?” and the reply is: “No, but they scare me to death!” I like to have the last word: “Boo!”