Born in the late 19th century, Granny's childhood was surrounded by the mysticism and fascination with the supernatural that characterized the Spiritualist movement. Her parents, devoted members of the Daffodil Society, were known for their belief in paranormal phenomena and their constant pursuit of evidence to support such claims.
Granny was always drawn towards the unusual and mysterious as a young girl. It was insatiable curiosity that led her to collect newspaper clippings and articles about conjoined twins and circus freaks. The idea of individuals who were different from the norm fascinated her, perhaps because she herself was a twin. Being part of a pair meant that she had an innate understanding of the uniqueness that comes with being one half of a duo.
But beyond her personal connection to twins, it's likely that Granny's upbringing in a spiritually driven household played a major role in fueling her fascination with the unconventional. Growing up surrounded by people who believed in otherworldly beings and out-of-the-ordinary occurrences instilled in her a deep sense of wonderment and acceptance towards those who may not fit into societal norms.
Throughout her life, Granny remained fascinated by all things unconventional and continued to collect scraps of information about anything out of the ordinary. Perhaps it was this open-mindedness that led her to have an adventurous spirit, always seeking out new experiences and willing to embrace the unknown. Granny's scrapbook serves as a testament to her thirst for knowledge about all things strange and mysterious.
Granny's husband was a man of many talents. He was a skilled farmer, a weather watcher, and most famously, a folk healer. This may seem like an unusual profession, but people turned to him for relief from various ailments and conditions. What made Granddaddy stand out from other healers was his ability to talk warts right off of a person.
Granddaddy would gently cup his hands around the wart and whisper something inaudible to anyone around. Curious onlookers would often try to eavesdrop, but his words always seemed to be just out of reach. Yet somehow, his method worked like magic. The next day, the wart would be completely gone, as if it had never been there. When Granddaddy passed away he took his secret to the grave with him.
Growing up, I always admired my grandmother, fondly referred to as Granny. She was a petite woman with a big heart, and I often heard people say that I resembled her not only in my physical features but also in my mannerisms. Looking back now, I realize that we share many more similarities than meets the eye.
Granny lived in a quaint one-bedroom house made of clapboard, nestled in a small town in rural Florida. A place where everyone knew each other and looked out for one another. It was a close-knit community where people didn't feel the need to lock their doors. In fact, some houses didn't even have locks! But Granny, being the cautious person she was, always had two padlocks on her front door for when she would be away for an extended period.
She would always make sure to secure her home before going to bed at night. She would wedge a sturdy wooden kitchen chair under the doorknob, just in case someone tried to break-in. It may seem like an odd precaution for someone living in such a safe and friendly neighborhood, but Granny never liked taking any chances.
Yet, every morning, as the sun slowly peeked through the windows, she would wake up to find a ghostly figure standing by her bedside. Clad in a white dress that seemed to glow in the faint light, the girl would hold her hand with a gentle grip that always calmed her restless mind. It was both eerie and comforting at the same time.
Her name was Sarah, according to Granny's intuition. She didn't know how or why Sarah had chosen her as a companion, but she welcomed her every morning with open arms and an unspoken understanding. Once Granny woke up fully, Sarah would disappear. It was as if she existed only in those few moments when Granny was transitioning from sleep to wakefulness. The front door would always be found wide open, and the chair that had been under the knob would be neatly tucked back under the table. Nothing else in her quaint home seemed to be disturbed or moved.
She realized that Sarah meant no harm and was simply seeking solace in someone who could sense her presence. This realization led Granny to nail her windows shut and stuff every nook and cranny of her house with possessions. She wanted to create a safe haven for both herself and Sarah. Even when Granny went out for shopping or errands, she would always return home to find everything untouched and undisturbed. However, she still made it a habit to check every corner of the house for any potential intruders. It became a ritual that gave Granny a sense of control over her life.
When I was just a young child of five, my family received devastating news. My beloved Granny announced that she was dying. I remember the sadness that consumed our family during this time, as we came to terms with the fact that we would soon have to say goodbye to someone so dear to us.
During her final days, Granny made a curious request. She asked if anyone would see under her dress as she floated up to heaven. It seemed like such an innocent and humorous request at the time, but looking back now, I realize that Granny knew something that we didn't.
Despite being a non-Catholic, Granny began to speak of Mary. She would often say Mary was coming to collect her. So it was no surprise when Granny passed away in the month of May when devotions to Mother Mary are traditionally made.
Shortly after her passing, something strange began happening in our house. I started talking about a little girl named Sarah, who would visit me. My family reacted in both fear and wonder as I had never heard the stories of Sarah at that time.
To this day, we are still unsure of who Sarah is or why she chose to reveal herself to our family. But one thing is for sure - she was real. And her story remains etched in our memories as a testament to the enduring spirit of life beyond this world. But for now, I'll leave that mysterious story for another day. Perhaps one day, I will summon the courage to share more about Sarah's visits and what they meant for my family. But until then, keep an open mind and heart - you never know what secrets are waiting to be uncovered.