I believe in ghosts

October 9, 2012 by · 21 Comments

Yeah, that title pretty much sums up what this post is going to be about. 

Let me start from the beginning of why I truly believe.
There is no good way of saying this, but my dad passed away in 2003 when I was 20 year old. 
It’s something that came out of nowhere and I still replay the day that I found out that my dad was gone. 
It’s funny how you can’t remember Tuesday of last week, but significant moments of your life…you just remember every detail of that day.
Needless to say, it’s something that I struggle with each day. 
There are some days that I just want to call my dad and ask for his guidance. 
There are some days that I am okay. 
Then are some days that I just cry.

So last year I did something a little unconventional to deal with my grief and to hopefully find closure…
I went to see the medium, James Van Praagh.


James was having a spirit circle in Laguna Beach so I asked Kelly from messy dirty hair to join me. 
Luckily she was game and didn’t think that I was crazy for doing this. 

So that night, Kelly, her mom and I went to this creepy hotel in Laguna Beach to hear James speak.
The seminar said the night was going to be filled with meditation, that James will discuss that loved ones are always around us, and he would demonstrate his ability to connect with the spirit world. 

The minute James spoke, he had such a calming presence. He was funny, too! He let the audience know that this night would not be enjoyable if you sat in your chair thinking over and over for loved ones to connect with you. Plus he said that if you sit there thinking of one single person it will close your mind for the others that have passed over who want to connect with you. He said he talks to neighbors, friends, and even pets from some people’s lives! 

Of course the only thing I could think was, 
Dad if you are here…please, please connect with me. 
I need to know you are alright.
So after a little mediation, James said that he had some spirits who wanted to connect with their family in the audience. 

How this happens is that the spirit will be talking to James and James will relay what the person says. 
For example, James would say, ” The person here is a woman, tall. She left you a personal item like coffee mugs that you keep in a safe place”. Then the person in the audience who that sounds familiar to, would raise their hand and then if the spirit recognized the person, they would connect.

Now don’t think that that James would just have the spirit connect to just anyone. 
He would sometimes say, no you aren’t the person they are connecting with.

Later into that evening, James connected me with my fiance’s best friend, Matt.
I will not go into the details of this night for respect for the family. 
But I can attest that James was speaking of details from Matt that only I knew. 
 I was uncontrollable that night in the audience. I was sobbing so loud on Kelly’s shoulder that I could barely hear what James had to say to me. He was telling me details for me to share with Matt’s family. James then paused and said that someone else was there that night to connect with me. But the person who wanted to connect, saw that I was in a lot of pain and it would be too much for me to bear right then.
 I had the gut feeling that my dad was there that night. 

But the story doesn’t end there.
(and I am sorry if there are no pictures with this story!)
I went back to see James Van Praagh.

I went about two weeks of just reliving that first night with James. I went and got his book from the library and wanted to know everything about how this could be true. 
How can this man really connect with spirits? 
How can he know details of a person that only family would know?
 He had left me so calm in knowing that loved ones are alright after they pass. I knew that my dad was okay. This time I brought the mom of the children I nanny for, Amy. 

The second time I went to see James. I was much calmer. I knew the routine of the seminar. 
So Amy and I sat in the back row and listened to what he had to say. 
I was thrilled to hear when audience members would connect with their loved ones.
Then all of a sudden James introduced a spirit who wanted to connect with someone. 
He said, “My daughter is here tonight. She has my wallet”. 
My heart almost leaped out of my chest. 
I had my dad’s wallet!
But all of a sudden, a woman ahead of me, raised her hand and said,
 ”I have my dad’s wallet with me tonight!” 
I was heartbroken.
 So James started asking the woman some questions and then said,”No, you aren’t the person”.
James then said again, “My daughter has my wallet, but it’s not with her tonight. It’s in a box, on her dresser”
I practically fell out of my chair. 
That was me. 
My hand shot in the air, and I said “It’s me!!”

The next 10 minutes where a blur. 
Luckily I had seen James before and I wasn’t a complete wreck when my dad was connecting with me. I even took out my phone and took notes. Amy on the other hand…she was crying. 
It is very surreal when it’s happening. 

This is what my dad spoke to me about:
James said that my dad helped me find my condo above the garage.
When Ernie and I had to move out of our apartment because rent was so high, I was nervous that we would have to move to the ghetto. I was driving around a neighborhood one day and a realtor was putting up a for rent sign…on a condo over a garage. The rent was $300 cheaper than what Ernie & I were paying. It was a blessing to find that condo. 

James said that I was fretting about a chair in the corner of my house because it needed new fabric
I have a chair, in the corner of my living room. It was a chair that my dad got in the 80′s. It was custom made by my mom and dad and even has their name sewn underneath the cushion. It really needs to be reupholstered and I was looking at so much fabric because I wanted to redo my chair. It was amazing that my dad was watching over me. 

I was reading James Van Praagh’s book and trying to convince my brother
James totally said that I was reading his book. While reading it, I called my twin brother and was telling him about what happened to me that night in Laguna Beach. He said that my brother didn’t believe me. Of course. But he said that even my dad wouldn’t believe this in life on earth. In fact, he said as my dad was talking to James, he couldn’t believe that this was happening. That James could understand him and relate messages to his daughter. 

My dad watching me go trick or treating with the kids I nanny.
So this is the most special part of connecting with my dad. I went trick or treating the night before with the kids. Now, since this was November 1st, you would think that…duh of course. Everyone goes trick or treating on Halloween. Nope, this was the first time I ever went with the kids. 
My dad said that he loved watching me hold the kids hands. Swinging their buckets with them. He said also said that I was really mindful when sorting the candy at the end of the night. Amy and her children have The Great Pumpkin come at the end of the night. You sort your candy and leave a bucket of candy outside the door. Then The Great Pumpkin comes and switches the candy with a gift. 
James spoke about all that. 

He then said that I was brought into Amy’s life because we both needed healing. We are so close and Amy is like a second family to me. 
We both cried that night in the audience. 

So that is my story of how I believe in ghosts. 
There is so much detail that went into that night, connecting with my dad. This is just a few of the things that my Dad discussed with me.
It was neat to see that he likes to watch my daily activies. 
He likes to help me and still provides guidance in my daily life. 
During the break in the seminar, people were coming up to me and saying that they remembered me from the night in Laguna Beach. 
They have been coming to see James for years and they never have connected with their loved ones. 
They have never seen the same person connect TWICE.
I felt special and knew that things happen for a reason. 
 

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  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/03160790104164177366 Jenstar_Blonde

    Oh wow!! what an amazing post! Thank you for sharing this with us! I would love to go to something like this! I wrote a similar post a wee while ago about things that cannot be explained but have totally happened for a reason!

    http://itsablondeslife7.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/do-you-believe-in-spirits.html

    I think your post has definitely pushed me into going to see something like this! I hope hey do things like this in the UK!! hehe

    Brilliant post and i totally agree with you! What an experience to have had! my emotions would have been everywhere!!

    Jen xxx

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/11780972010240522334 Tyler

    Wow what an amazing post! And thank you for sharing. I am so sorry for your loss, I can’t even imagine how hard that had to be, and still is. I am so happy you were able to connect with him and hopefully it helped with healing. Sending hugs your way <3

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/02820001783545167859 Micah

    Thank you for sharing this, Lauren. I got all teary while I was reading it. And I completely believe in ghosts and the people we love watching over us after they’re gone.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05814425252009133884 Diana, Down Home Traveler

    Wow that is amazing. I seriously got all teary eyed and goose bumps from your story. I love watching Long Island Medium because she is able to connect people with their loved ones and allow them to heal. It is amazing that you were able to connect twice and help others as well in the process! Absolutely amazing!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/16014247927131379688 Kait

    This is awesome!!!! I was on the verge of tears while reading this! I’m so happy for you :)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614130180180710002 ty

    Wow. This just gave me the shivers. I too believe, and it makes me happy that you were able to connect with your dad :)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08628336275248731035 Alice

    what a great story! I had a similar experience when I won a contest to see a medium before father’s day a few years ago. I was so emotional as it was happening I wish I could do it again and really pay attention.

    So happy for you.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/04859474092870642190 Alisa Marie

    What an incredible story! Thank you so much for sharing, it’s a really inspiration story!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/01005073080159407406 Sarai McDowell

    This is seriously amazing! I’m so happy you were able to connect with your dad! I know that has to be comforting :)

    xoxo
    Sarai

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/06949920241787263867 Rachel @ Polka Dots and Lemonade

    Thank you so much for sharing! I believe that we are able to connect with those who have gone, as well. I’m so glad that this was able to help you.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/03791691594717530221 Serena

    Thanks so much for sharing, I’m fairly new to your blog but I got chills reading it. What an incredible experience!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/01836722993825546517 Krista Lynn

    Beautiful story, Lauren! What an amazing experience!! Thank you for sharing it!

    Krista

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/01159080408489811455 elizalouise.bell

    I have done this! This makes me feel so much…more at peace. I do this every year now just so I get to talk to her. I miss her so much. If you ever need to talk, let me know! I am posting a little post I did about this experience. Because, it was by far the most amazing thing ever.

    i couldn’t help but wonder…

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/04897068943776720452 meandmr.com

    Thanks for sharing, I love your story!
    -meandmr.com

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/04191594419172393727 Kenzie Smith

    Thank you so much for sharing that beautiful story! That is so amazing what that guy can do.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764642122918595853 Sonja

    I’m a huge believer in this and love that you were able to experience it!! Today has been 8 years since my mom passed away and I always wonder what she would be telling me or what she thinks!

    Thanks for sharing this! :)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05668898242616503720 Erin @ Keep Calm and Sparkle

    What an incredible story!! I had goose bumps and tears in my eyes. I’m a true believer in these types of situations.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05668898242616503720 Erin @ Keep Calm and Sparkle

    What an incredible story!! I had goose bumps and tears in my eyes. I’m a true believer in these types of situations.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05668898242616503720 Erin @ Keep Calm and Sparkle

    What an incredible story!! I had goose bumps and tears in my eyes. I’m a true believer in these types of situations.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/03343416005614274153 Andrea D

    This post gave me goosebumps. My father-in-law died last spring in an accident, just a few months after we moved from Missouri to California. It’s so hard to lose someone close to you. I’m glad this was a good experience!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08721836568045811559 Kristin W

    What an amazing and special story. I typically don’t think too much about ghosts or the afterlife, but my husband is obsessed with ghost shows. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful story.