The Paranormal; My Story, My Reasoning

The odd experiences that occured to me as a child were more often than not explained away as nightmares. On the other hand, by at least one family member, some experiences were explained as paranormal events, but in a very casual way. Let me explain:

I can remember on more than one occasion when I was little, being asleep beside my Grandmother. I would awaken to movements on the bed as if someone were trying to feel their way around to find out if anyone was in bed, and where. My Grandmother would be asleep, there would be no one else there, and I would drift back off to sleep.

After several of these occurances, I asked my Grandmother about it. She looked perplexed for a moment and said "you felt that?" She then explained, in a very "matter-of-fact" way that it was my Grandfather. (He died when I was 2) She said when he was alive, he used to get a little, well, drunk, and when he would come home, he would feel around in the dark to see which side of the bed my Grandmother was on. She then went on about her business, as if no other explaination was needed. The really odd thing was that my Grandmother had divorced my Grandfather years before he died.

You must remember, that back in the day, when I grew up, there just weren't shows about Ghosts, and the Paranormal. As a teen, I remember seeing monster movies, but spirits just weren't T.V material back then. That made it odd that my sister had many experiences as a child that for the most part terrified her, but they were normally explained away by my Parents as nightmares. When they happened at my Grandmother's, she would comfort my sister, and without scaring her even more, she would say..."Oh, why don't we say a prayer so you'll have a good night sleep." My Grandmother was so wise.

One of these days, I am going to study up on dreams and interpretations. I know, as a rational person, that dreams are sort of "unfiled" pages of our mind. What if there is more to it? For instance, why is it, when I dream of a death in the family, there is a birth, and when I dream of a birth in the family, there is a death? Seems a bit too coincidental to me.

I don't have all of the answers. I not only am revealing what my experiences have been, I am searching for answers as well.

Remember Scrooge, in "A Christmas Carol" telling Marley he was just a bit of undigested food...? Think about that. I bring up this movie because it ends without giving a concrete answer as to whether Scrooge dreampt that episode, or was indeed visited by spirits. This lens isn't going to end with an answer either. You will probably either continue to believe, or disbelieve. I can tell you, that like many of the people I've come to know who believe, I have a scientific background. I studied in the medical field. I am no hysterical, dillusional woman, (No matter WHATmy kids say). I always try to find reasonable explainations for things. I am not alone. Check out the featured lenses I have listed. Many have similar backgrounds.

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"The Paranormal" in and of itself, has never frightened me. Now, there are several experiences I have had that terrified me, but in general, I do not fear the Paranormal.

The house in which I live is an old Victorian House converted into apartments. I have always felt at ease here. An unexplainable comfort. I have had experiences here, none of which have frightened me. My dog, however, gets spooked on occasion. He refuses to eat in the kitchen at his dish unless I am in there. He will grab a mouthful of food and bring it to eat wherever I am. My daughter says she sees shadows moving quickly into the kitchen. Even if that is true, I feel there is a protecting presence of some sort here, because I am never afraid. Perhaps some of it is because I am a Christian, I believe God has already won that battle. Ultimately, evil loses. We may experience terrifying things, but the battle has been fought and won. My God is more powerful than anything evil. That could also explain why I am more comforted by the paranormal than afraid of it.

Read on to find out about my most recent, and endearing experience with the "Paranormal." This one may cinch the "This woman IS crazy" vote, but some will understand.

Let me introduce you all to a wonderful man. His picture accompanies this module. His name is Paha Ska, which means White Hills. His "White man" name is Orville Salway. He was born in White Clay, Nebraska on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

You may recognize Paha Ska. If you have ever visited Keystone, South Dakota, you've seen him. He sat on the boardwalk in full regalia. He was the Ambassador to Keystone for close to 50 years. He was a talented artist, a spellbinding story teller, and he was my friend. Paha Ska and I connected immediately when I met him the first time. I had my daughter, who was then about 11, with me. My daughter hated for people to touch her. She always has. When we met Paha Ska, my daughter reached out and took his hand! Read that again...SHE reached out and took his hand! I took a picture of that moment, but somehow my daughter misplaced it. There was an instant click with Paha Ska. I later met his wife, Susan, and we became friends as well.

I am not a Native American, but I have always had a deep respect and curiosity for the Culture and Art as well as the tradition. Paha Ska introduced me to all of it, as only he could do. Through Paha Ska's eyes I saw the good, the bad and the ugly. Mostly good, as Paha Ska was a gentle, witty man. His Art works moved me. I am proud to own a couple of his works. His hide paintings were incredible. Some now grace homes across the world as well as a castle or two!

Paha Ska took his "Final Journey" on November 10, 2005. He fought as long and hard as he could, but he had to leave. I remained friends with his wife, but for some unknown reason, Paha Ska decided to re-enter my life.

As I have mentioned, I have been a writer for years. I have several areas of expertise, but I write about many things. Paha Ska had been on my mind a lot and I decided to write about the Culture and Tradition of the Sioux Nation. You can see the lens here:
Native American Art and Culture
This is where Paha Ska let his presence be known to me. Picture it...

I am researching along, working on my story, and Paha Ska is heavy on my mind as I work. It is as if (notice I said "AS IF") he were right there beside me. I was typing along as fast as I could. I somehow knew just which URL's to visit to do research. I was "led" to some fascinating Native Art dealers across the globe with whom I now work. Lakota words that I have never heard would pop into my head. It didn't take me long to realize who was behind this. The ideas would pop into my head faster than I could type. That led to an amusing story. At one point, the ideas and inspirations were coming so fast, and for reasons I still do not understand, I said "Okay, Paha Ska, OKAY!" I had not known that one of my daughters was standing in the doorway. When I noticed she was there, I followed her back into the living room. Her husband said "What's Ma doing?" My Daughter shrugged her shoulders and said "I think she's writing...and talking to an Indian that has been dead for 3 years." I couldn't help but laugh.

Since that time, I have written several pieces on Native Americans. I have to admit that I had to ask myself if I might be losing it. I talked to a woman who has a PHD in world religion and psychology (she is also part Native American) She said it did not matter that I was not Native American. Paha Ska and I had formed a bond in this universe, and he chose to visit, teach, and inspire me. If that is true, I welcome him.