Heaven Sent

Often tiny little things occur that make us reminisce about days of old. The sound of someone’s laughter, the aroma of a favorite dish or even the discovery of a family heirloom can bring back memories of yesteryear.

Sometimes it makes me wonder if these little happenings are actually the result of messages being sent from the other side. A form of communication from our loved ones who have moved onto the afterlife. The reason why I’m bringing all this up is because a few days ago I found tucked away in my jewelry, a beautiful butterfly necklace that my mother had given me many years ago. A piece that I hadn’t worn for quite a while. I was so excited by its finding that I quickly snapped its photo and sent the photo to my mother. She was happy to know that I still had it because the necklace originally belonged to her for years before she decided to pass it down to me.

My mother reminded me that at the time of purchase, she also bought a similar butterfly necklace for her mother. That’s when I remembered that after my grandmother’s passing, when my mom gave me her necklace, she had also given me my grandmother’s necklace, but where could it have gone to? It had been years since I had seen it. I had no idea until a couple of days passed when I was putting away some laundry. In my drawer sat a small lavender colored box that I hadn’t looked into for a really long time. Then, I got this strong urge to open the box. And guess what I found when I did? The butterfly necklace that my mother had bought my grandmother so many years ago! I was elated, couldn’t believe my eyes! What a discovery because I wasn’t even looking for it. But I couldn’t resist the unexpected urge to look inside the box.

Was it my grandmother’s way of sending a message, a sweet little “hello” perhaps? Who knows….. some people may chalk it up to coincidence, but not me, I don’t believe in coincidence. Life is full of surprises, from the mundane to the miraculous. It all depends on one’s perception on how extraordinary they truly are.

Here is the butterfly necklace that my mother passed down to me.

butterfly necklace

And here is the butterfly necklace that my mother bought for my grandmother.

nana

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‘Tis the Holidays!!!

The holidays are here and I hope you all have amazing plans for this wonderful time of year! My family and I will be spending a few days with our loved ones in Tennessee, some much needed time that has been long overdue. We definitely can’t wait!!

Whether one lives hundreds of miles away from loved ones (like my family and I do) or if one simply lives right down the road, it’s extremely important to stop our daily routines to make time to be with those we hold dear in our hearts. Yesterday is just a memory while tomorrow is never promised, so live in the moment and make today the best one ever! Carpe diem! Why? Because life is short and we may never get a second chance to enjoy it!!

So, sip on your egg nog, hot cocoa, apple cider or whatever makes your tummy warm and laugh with those who make you happy. Negate all that is negative and know in your heart that there is a wondrous blessing to behold each and every single day. Hug your family and friends, always keeping them close, even though the miles may say otherwise, the distance can never diminish the bond.

From our home to all of yours!! Merry Christmas & A Very Happy New Year!!!

Love, Sheila & family ❤

 

 

 

 

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Intelligent & Residual Hauntings: What Are They?

(Originally published on August 3, 2014)

 

Ok, everyone’s heard of Casper the Friendly Ghost, right? You know, the cute transparent guy who floats around through walls? If all the hauntings were as adorable as him, then that would be pretty amazing and all the little kiddies wouldn’t be so afraid of the things that go bump in the night.

Well, let’s take a step back and face reality here. Some hauntings can be pretty frightening and down right mind-numbing. Did you know that there are actually two known types of hauntings? Yes, intelligent and residual…

An intelligent haunting is when the spirits can interact with the living, a type of energy that DOES have consciousness. These spirits may find ways of communication much like the ways discussed in my previous blog titled, The Afterlife ~ A Corporeal’s Transition, or the spirits can often communicate through the use of a voice box; a tool that is used to collect electronic voice phenomena (EVPs). Spirits of intelligent hauntings are known to interact with the living by attempting physical contact as well. For instance, spirits can be playful in nature and a person may feel their hair being pulled or a gentle touch when no one else is to blame for the action. However, other spirits of intelligent hauntings may not be as friendly and the living can experience a sense of malevolence and often these types of spirits are more negative with their contact and might even try to inflict harm upon the living. Many people do try to provoke this type of haunting and I strongly recommend using extreme caution because one never knows what can happen. So, be wise and be careful.

The second type of haunting is known as a residual haunting. It’s more like a supernatural experience that resembles a recording of past energy. For instance, like hearing footsteps walking down an empty hallway when no one is there. It’s believed that in a location where someone has released a large amount of energy or heightened emotions were experienced and the energy attaches or “imprints” itself. As a result of the abiding energy, individuals in the future may get to experience seeing a type of “recording” of these events. Some signs of a residual haunting may be the absence of interaction from the spirit. As if the spirit doesn’t acknowledge the presence of the living person. The spirit will almost seem totally oblivious to anything that’s occurring in it’s presence.

Another sign of a residual haunting is the energy that is felt can often be quite intense for the individual experiencing it, but this isn’t anything that should be feared. The energy can also be the result of the interruptions to electricity and electrical appliances. It’s also very possible for things in the immediate area to change. For example, doors opening and shutting. Once again, this is simply energy. The spirit is completely not applying any conscious effort to these activities.

Throughout the years, I have experienced both types of hauntings. They were very mild in nature and I never felt threatened. I’ve heard footsteps jaunting down an empty hallway and creaking down an old set of stairs. I’ve seen electrical disturbances when there was no accountable reasoning for anything else. I have even experienced the gentle touches from spirits on several occasions.

So, now you know there are two kinds of hauntings. If you’ve had any experiences, please feel free to comment and share! 🙂

 

 

Get a copy of my novel, The Spirit Within on Amazon!

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Twitter: @sheilarparker.

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Facebook: Sheila Renee Parker – Author

 

 

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The Endeared

One, two, three and four.
The petals are soft, but they still hit the floor.
Plucked from the bloom, the rose lays bare
in the hands of the jaded without a care.

A bodice draped in elegant lace
defines the figure of Victorian grace.
Staring out the window, vision’s a blur
from tear filled eyes longing for a cure.

Strong is the will waiting to survive,
creating the happiness to make one feel alive.

Suddenly, a love that’s been removed
now comes into view,
a view that’s been long over due.

The faint smell of a cigar quickly fills the
room with no smoke in sight.
Accompanied by a warm, curious feeling,
nothing of fright.

The ghostly vision comes clear
as he approaches her near.
To him she says sadly, “I’ve aged a bit.”
He sweetly replies, “Not in my eyes. I still see you as exquisite.”

Then he caresses her cheek softly and full of love. He adds,
“I still see you as my beautiful dove.”
A smile sweeps across her wrinkled face,
so elegant and full of grace.
She whispers, “I love you, my dear for all eternity.”
He nods, “I know, my sweet for our love shall forever be.”

(A poem by Sheila Renee Parker)

 

Get a copy of my novel, The Spirit Within on Amazon!

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Twitter: @sheilarparker.

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Facebook: Sheila Renee Parker – Author

 

petals

Suicide Forest

Sounds like such a frightening place doesn’t it? Suicide Forest, full of despair and darkness. It’s located at the northwest base of Mount Fuji in Japan and is also known as Aokigahara. This fourteen square mile forest is so thick with trees and other natural formations that it makes it difficult to hear anything that doesn’t belong there.

If anyone wants to visit the Sea of Trees, be forewarned for it harbors an egregious reputation. It’s reported to have an association with demons and more than fifty suicides took place among the woods in 2010. Sadly, this forest is one of the top three most popular locations worldwide for suicide. Up until around 1988, nearly thirty reported suicides occurred yearly. These lost lives have not gone unnoticed. Because of their tragedies, a warning sign has been erected at the beginning of the trail pleading that anyone contemplating suicide to please consider their loved ones and to contact a suicide prevention hotline.

Why the dark history? It’s believed that an old Japanese custom referred to as ubasute was practiced there until the 1800s and that the victims of this tragic era are to blame for the hauntings. Ubasute refers to an act where an elderly relative would be taken to an isolated location and left there to perish, be it by starvation, exposure to the elements, dehydration, etc….. all for the sake of euthanasia.

This weekend a feature film has been released titled, The Forest starring Natalie Dormer and Taylor Kinney. Here’s the cinematic trailer…

 

 

 

Suicide is nothing to take lightly and should be treated as an extremely serious matter. The following is contact information for suicide prevention.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (website)          1-800-273-TALK (8255)

 

 

the forest

 

 

 

Below is a photo of the warning sign pleading that anyone contemplating suicide to please consider their loved ones and to contact a suicide prevention hotline.

suicide forest sign

Heaven Sent

Often tiny little things occur that make us reminisce about days of old. The sound of someone’s laughter, the aroma of a favorite dish or even the discovery of a family heirloom can bring back memories of yesteryear.

Sometimes it makes me wonder if these little happenings are actually the result of messages being sent from the other side. A form of communication from our loved ones who have moved onto the afterlife. The reason why I’m bringing all this up is because a few days ago I found tucked away in my jewelry, a beautiful butterfly necklace that my mother had given me many years ago. A piece that I hadn’t worn for quite a while. I was so excited by its finding that I quickly snapped its photo and sent the photo to my mother. She was happy to know that I still had it because the necklace originally belonged to her for years before she decided to pass it down to me.

My mother reminded me that at the time of purchase, she also bought a similar butterfly necklace for her mother. That’s when I remembered that after my grandmother’s passing, when my mom gave me her necklace, she had also given me my grandmother’s necklace, but where could it have gone to? It had been years since I had seen it. I had no idea until a couple of days passed when I was putting away some laundry. In my drawer sat a small lavender colored box that I hadn’t looked into for a really long time. Then, I got this strong urge to open the box. And guess what I found when I did? The butterfly necklace that my mother had bought my grandmother so many years ago! I was elated, couldn’t believe my eyes! What a discovery because I wasn’t even looking for it. But I couldn’t resist the unexpected urge to look inside the box.

Was it my grandmother’s way of sending a message, a sweet little “hello” perhaps? Who knows….. some people may chalk it up to coincidence, but not me, I don’t believe in coincidence. Life is full of surprises, from the mundane to the miraculous. It all depends on one’s perception on how extraordinary they truly are.

 

Get a copy of my novel, The Spirit Within on Amazon!

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Twitter: @sheilarparker.

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Facebook: Sheila Renee Parker – Author

 

Here is the butterfly necklace that my mother passed down to me.

butterfly necklace

 

 

And here is the butterfly necklace that my mother bought for my grandmother.

nana

An Event To Remember!

Happy weekend one and all! Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween. I know I sure did! This has always been my favorite time of year, the smell of the crisp autumn air as it sweetens the chilled autumn evenings. However the nights are getting longer, it gives us the opportunity to light those candles and enjoy their warm, illuminating glow.

Earlier in the week I was the guest speaker at a paranormal speaking event. Had such an amazing turnout and met some really fantastic people who were also there to share their paranormal experiences. We all engaged in topics ranging from ones that have been discussed on this blog like ghostly travelers to the different types of hauntings.

The subject of reincarnation even found its way into the discussion. A lady who attended the event shared with everyone a very interesting story. She told us all about an extremely vivid dream that she once had. But she said that her dream wasn’t just a dream. She said that it felt more like an actual memory, perhaps a memory from a past life. Upon waking, she remembered every minute detail. In her dream, the lady saw herself, yet it wasn’t her in this lifetime. She was from a different era, turn of the century…. Victorian times. In her realistic dream, she even discovered the name of the woman who she thought to be her. So the next day, it sparked something in her so much that it prompted her to research the woman. Her findings were conclusive. The Victorian era lady from her dream actually did live at the turn of the century and had the exact name that was mentioned in the dream. This woman who attended the speaking event said that prior to her dream, she had never heard of the Victorian lady before in her life. She had no explanation to why she had the mysterious dream. Her belief is that it was a fragmented memory from a previous lifetime that surfaced its way into her subconscious mind during sleep.

Other stories that were shared were quite uplifting that included deceased loved ones who still visit the living by showing signs only recognizable to those they hold dear. While some stories were sadder in nature and somewhat emotional. I, too shared several of my own paranormal experiences, like the time when I was a young girl witnessing my first shadow person, followed by more encounters throughout my life. Then, there was the time that I had a frightening experience with a Ouija Board when I was a teenager. An unforgettable memory, even though it happened many years ago, I still remember it as if it occurred only yesterday.

The speaking events that I host aren’t only for me to discuss the paranormal, they’re also a way for others to openly share their preternatural encounters. Having an open mind is key to understanding the unknown.

Get a copy of my novel, The Spirit Within on Amazon!

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Twitter @sheilarparker.

The Afterlife ~ A Corporeal’s Transition

Crossing over into the afterlife isn’t an easy subject for many to talk about simply because it involves the thought of losing a loved one who is very dear to them.

Unfortunately, next week will be four years since my father’s passing. His death was extremely untimely and a total shock to me and my family. I’ll never forget that call I received in the wee hours of the morning of the heartbreaking news. It was a moment that had changed my life forever. There were so many questions left unanswered and so many raw emotions revealed. I was angry for months on end and wanted to know why he was taken from us so abruptly without warning.

And then, one random night while in my sleep, my father appeared in a dream. He didn’t say a word. His face was solemn and guarded, yet caring and warm. In the dream he was observing me like he was making sure that I was ok. The morning after I awoke, I was saddened because of the lack of communication, but also grateful for his visit.

It wasn’t a dream like any other. It felt very real with vivid imagery that still resides in my memory to this day. That was actually the first of several dreams where my father made his presence known. Over the course of a few months, each dream my father would become more interactive. The most recent time he visited me, he hugged me and we said “I love you” to each other. That was the last time that I saw him. It was a good visit, something needed as in a sense of closure for us both.

My father is always with me in my heart. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of him…. missing him. Our relationship as father and daughter wasn’t an easy one, but nevertheless, there were some really good times that still make me smile.

The deceased visiting their loved ones in dreams is actually a common phenomena experienced by many. When people die, sometimes there are some who may hang around for whatever reason they have. Sadly, some spirits may not even realize that they’ve passed on and they’re trying to continue living their lives just as they did before. Others may stick around to complete unfinished business that they believe only they can accomplish. Then, there are the ones that I believe are like my father, that hang around long enough to make sure that we’re ok after they’ve died.

Spirits and the living are very similar. The living possess a myriad of personality traits that cause some people to be good while others to be bad. It’s the same with spirits, some are good and some aren’t. However, a lot of spirits may become angry after their passing due to the fact that they might feel cheated out of life for whatever reason they died. Although, several spirits are more accepting and are ready to move on.

Our loved ones have many ways of making their presence known to us. Some, like my father, appear to us in dreams because it’s when our minds are most relaxed. Many may appear as simple signs recognized only by the surviving loved ones like butterflies fluttering nearby while the living is thinking of them. Often, people have reported hearing their deceased loved ones call out their names when no one else is around. Or a random odor or fragrance will faintly be noticed by the living, reminding them of the deceased ones when there is no plausible explanation for the smell to exist. For example, I occasionally smell my father’s cigarettes out of the blue (I don’t smoke) and there are no visible signs of smoke either. Only the faint odor wafting by for a brief second.

It has also been reported that many spirits have been seen at their own funerals. Why? Some people believe it’s because the spirits know that a gathering of their loved ones will be there and it could possibly be the easiest way for them (the spirits) to have closure before crossing over, saying their final good-byes.

Can everyone see spirits? No. But I do believe that spirits make their presence known to those who will be more receptive to seeing them. The key is to be open minded. There’s a huge world of the unknown out there. Don’t fear it, accept that it does exist…

Get a copy of my novel, The Spirit Within on Amazon!

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Twitter @sheilarparker.