Many people do not believe in ghosts and especially do not want them celebrated on Halloween. Ghosts are thought mostly to be evil or provoke fear. As a Christian, I have the belief to stay away from evil things, including ghosts, up until a loss led me to an encounter of a ghost itself- an angel.

Some people believe there are levels in Heaven, that for eternity we constantly have the opportunity to be progressing and earning more experiences and one ness with God. Everyone is thought to have the same opportunity as another, but some may try harder. I believe this and I believe in a “level” that gives us the ability to visit back to Earth to deliver a message to a loved one who is still alive. From the standpoint of the living, the deceased loved one could appear as a “ghost.” This is the experience I was blessed with, subtle yet powerful. My paternal grandmother passed away when I was only six weeks old, not leaving much room for us to get to know each other. I had only seen pictures of her, and her absence definitely made me emotional at the thought.

To make up for loss of family, as a kid, I had a love for animals that I can not even describe. My immediate family and I were definitely dog people, so I was ecstatic when they finally let me have a cat. She was beautiful and her name was Samara. We got be very close for a girl and pet cat, so her death just absolutely broke my heart. I was attempting a relationship with God for the very first time, so in my pain.. I prayed. I asked to feel something, I begged to feel love. I needed someone’s embrace so badly, and God knew exactly that.

In my worst moment of tears as I prayed that prayer, I felt a hand as clear as can be touch my shoulder. I was completely overcome with the feeling of peace, and as a turned my head to see who was there, I saw her. My Nana stood there behind me, clear as a crystal, with her hand lovingly placed on my shoulder. I felt way too much peace to be afraid at the thought of seeing a “ghost.” The only thing I could do was jump up to be in her arms. It was not at all like the movies, where humans can’t touch ghosts. My Nana held me as tight as any human embrace would be. Then, after I had calmed down and stopped my tears, she was gone, just as quickly as she had come.

In thinking back to this, I still get a feeling of peace. I never told anyone about this experience, but I thought at Halloween parents would like to know that ghosts are not at all always something to fear. Maybe in your time of need, you too could feel the embrace of someone you love.