25 August 2009

Investigating History

Last Friday, I found myself at a crossroads. It was my first time investigating a purportedly haunted location without my usual group. I was there with three friends, but also four strangers, four brand-new paranormal investigators who are finding their way in the field.

What also made this investigation special was the location. This particular Roswell home is owned by the family of a famous Georgian (Sorry. Can't go into details. It's that whole privacy thing). The house is empty and for sale, but the granddaughter of the late owner was there with us and the stories she told took us beyond the headlines, beyond what we see or read in the news. And that meant more to me than the possibility of seeing or communicating with any ghosts.

It's hard to remember that people like Nancy Pelosi or Lindsay Lohan or Rush Limbaugh or Gwyneth Paltrow, for example, are truly people. Whether we agree with them or not, whether they are trains wrecks or not, whatever. They are people. People with parents, siblings, children, friends, histories, futures and when we, the masses see these people on the TV screen or on the cover of tabloid rags, we start to think of them as things. Less than human. Oh, well, your man broke up with you so you deserved it. Then there's Your approval ratings are down? Poor baby. Bite me. I didn't vote for you because you're a loony. And let's not forget You asked to be famous/have this responsibility. Deal with it and shut up.

But to sit with a family member of one of those well-known personalities, to hear about him/her from someone who truly knows them, it was an eye-opening experience. We joked, we talked, and she reminisced about her family and gave a glimpse into her fond memories. That, to me, was more valuable than any paranormal evidence I may find. Sometimes, I think these moments of touching fellow human lives is more important than touching the next-lives of those who have already passed.

12 comments:

HEATHER said...

Well now, I'm wracking my brain trying to figure who it was!!!

Molly's Mom said...

Hmm...a mystery within a mystery. So did you find anything good during the investigation?

marty said...

I'm wondering if you found anything at Bliss Manor in Lexington?

Dave2 said...

Maybe...

But I'd rather see a ghost! :-)d

sybil law said...

I love hearing stories about almost anyone, but especially old stories.
I am so tired. I don't even know if that comment made sense.

Avitable said...

Heather, how can you say all of that and not tell us who it was?!?

Not Afraid to Use It said...

A great perspective that ALL of us should remember.

A Free Man said...

Ah, man! COme on, spill it!

Patois42 said...

It's as if you were talking with the dead, you know?

Michael from dadcation.com said...

So, can you tell me offline? It can be like attorney-client privilege or something. Totally protected.

Hope you can write about your next adventure that you referenced on Twitter.

Ashlie- Mommycosm said...

So...did you find any ghosts?!

I met a ton of celebrities while working on Martha's Vineyard one summer. My boss was kinda a perv, long story, but he did offer words of wisdom. Celebrities are just people. It's their job, not necessarily who they are. Take time to know the person and you'll realize they put their pants on the same way we all do.
I met some really cool famous people that summer...and just a few snotty celebrities.

Irrational Dad said...

Well, yeah. We only see about 1/100000th of their life in the media. I think it's cool you got to hear more about this mystery person.