Born With A Veil: A True Ghost Story A True Ghostly Tale From Northeast Georgia One day, while gathering stories in northeast Georgia, in a town called Lavonia, I met a woman named Linda Barnes. Shes a leader in her church and community, and I was hearing stories from those areas of her life when suddenly she stopped, looked at me for a long moment, and said, You are someone I can tell this to. A change came over her, she softened from her strong leader voice into a more hushed, even reverent tone, and she opened up to me about her life, and being rasied by her grandmother. Her grandmother, whom we refer to as a mid-wife today, was known then as the medicine woman. Her grandmother was gifted in many ways, and Linda went on to tell me about one mysterious day when she, herself, discovered a gift she shared with her grandmother. A gift they would not speak about for many years, and only, in special circumstances, does Linda even talk of it today. I count myself privileged to have heard, and been given permission by her, to tell this true story.I Was Born With A Veil On My Face Thats What My Grandma Called It. community performance international Shes the one who raised me. She was a kind of a medicine woman. She took care of folks- black and white. I went with her all over these parts. It was on one of these visits that she told me about the veil. We were walking home, and she got ahead of me. I saw something-- A lady- a real fancy dresser. My mother was a fancy dresser too, so I thought it was her walking down the road, so I ran to her and called out to her, Mama! Mama! Over here! I called out her name, but she kept going. Then my Grandma turned around. Fanny! Im going to meet Mama! No, Fanny! Come here now. I knew by the sound of Grandmas voice that I needed to come back. All of the sudden, the fancy dresser turned and disappeared. Grandma and I walked a long time, maybe a mile, before talking. Then she says, Lets rest our feet here. And I ask her, Grandma, why wouldnt you let me go to her? She isnt who you think she was. And this is not the right time of day to be walking with spirits. You Mean She Wasnt Real? Oh, Shes Very Real. As Real As You And Me She once walked and talked on this earth, like were doing right here. But shes on the other side of the veil now. Most times, they just want to be remembered. They show themselves and thats that. Sometimes, they need to pass on some news to people on this side. But every once in a while, theres one that wants something more. That lady probably just wanted to be remembered. But I dont want you walking with a spirit when the times not right. She shoulda known better. Thats why I called you back. I thought about this, and then asked Grandma, How did she know Id see her? And Grandma tells me, You were born with a veil on your face. I was, too. You were born with a half veil. That means you can see things- people and ideas that used to be. I was born with a full veil. That means I see things toward the future. And some things that I used to wonder about started making sense. So thats how you know if someone youre helping is gonna get well or die, like you said Mrs. Jones probably isnt gonna make it. And Grandma is quick to correct me. No Honey. Only God Knows Those Things... What I see are more patterns and pictures... Take Mrs. Jones. If the pattern stays the same, if the weather stays damp and cold, and the cracks in her floor arent covered, then that cough is gonna settle in her lungs. Shell be too cold to get up and move it out of her lungs, and then the pneumonias gonna take her. Now, if that pattern changes, shes got a chance. But when we tended her, I saw her in her wedding dress. Theres only two occasions a woman wears that dress- when she gets married and when she gets buried. And Mrs. Jones is already married. Will I see the future, too? No. The half veil sees the present and the people from our past. Too bad. I wish I could see the future. My grandmother hugged me. It was my signal to know she was done talking. Wed walk that road together many times over the years to come. Wed walk it for Mrs. Jones funeral. Wed walk it after grandma delivered a set of twins, and I got to help. Ive seen a lot of things going down that road, though I never saw the fancy dresser again. One of these days, Im sure I will.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Feb 2014 17:23:43 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015