Post Your Ghosts!

[BARON TIMOTHEUS BGG]

Dear UMA FANG-MILY,
   Let's just call this:
                                                   *********************************
                                                                         EPISODE #4
                                                    ******** YE OLDE KITCHEN **********
   Whenever I was on BOB'S computer in the kitchen, and, postings of a paranormal nature would pop up on-screen as I went through my daily e-mails, the air around me would 'thicken' and become noticably chilly ... but, with that 'chill that is distinctly conscious of itself'....  Whether summer, or, winter, it didn't matter one whit; 'twas always the same... the room was pleasantly warm, until, the reading of these 'spook'tacular postings began. As I belong to several groups with that focus, it became almost funny to go from reading a 'normal' posting, from some non-psychic group, and, then, to feel, deeply, the 'atmosphere change' upon launching into the reading, of a Hauntings_of_the_World posting. Such blatant instances, would, occasionally, "give me the creeps", however, as they happened with a predictable regularity, I adapted to them, praying for those Spirits' Eternal Peace, if such was their need.
                                                    ******* YE OLDE LIVINGROOM *******
   The chair in the livingroom, where I did most of my sculpting, painting, and, mask-making was situated on the far end of the living room from the big-screen TV. Television was a novel treat, for me, following many years, of little-to-no access, to the inescapable 'one-eyed monster', so ubiquitous, to our culture. BOB had cable, so, a veritable plethora of channels was available. The HISTORY CHANNEL and The TRAVEL CHANNEL were two, of the many, that I'd watch.
   Especially, if there was a programme on haunted houses or observances of ghostly goings-on, I'd be tuned in... but, the enjoyment of the supernatural seemed to be shared by 'others' in the apartment, who were even more in tune with that level of being.
   No sooner would one of those programmes begin, than the space around me would 'thicken' noticably. Again, bringing 'the cold spot, saturated with awareness of itself'. Sometimes, I didn't mind it/them sharing the space with me, but, usually, I'd go into prayer mode, to guide them towards the Light of The Living God.
   I know, that, were I in their 'shoes', I'd be glad, to have such a kindly assist, if needed.
                                                *******************************
    More soon, if you wish...
EXANIMO EVERNOW,
Timothy Francis Meyer Herron, B.G.G., Curator of
CASTLE Von WOLFSTEIN, and all related artifacts
contained therein...
                                          ****************************************
                                                       Horrorhosts(*at*)yahoogroups.com
                                                "ghastlee63" <Ghastlee(*at*)horrorfind.com>
                                                               Tue, 27 Jan 2004
Re: BARON TIMOTHEUS offers several stories to tide you over, about...
Baron,
   Yes, the old place was full of ghosties all right; my Great-Grandmother and Grandmother among them. Both were big horror and supernatural enthusiasts, and my Great-Grandma lived in the apartment for a number of years before I did. I attribute the sensations in the air when any sort of ghostly program was on to her enjoying the show with us.
   Then two separate people, who didn't know one another and have never met, told me about the man in a civil war uniform in the bathroom. Even after the second person told me about it I was skeptical, but then I saw a documentary about the founding of Dayton (on public access!).
   It seems the area around Belmont (our neighborhood) was where the troops were stationed as they routed the native people off their land.
   We have some spirits hanging around the new place too. One of them is Scottish, and when Kathy half-jokingly invited him to move back to Ohio with her from the Castle in Scotland she was visiting, he accepted. He hangs out in the basement, and likes to creep out Kathy's daughter when she goes down there. BOO!
Ghastlee
                                                      ***********************
                                                                 Nicole Brooks
Ghastlee & Suspira,
   Is that the ghost that likes to turn on the electronic halloween decorations/props? I think Kathy mentioned that. That's too wild.
   You need to put a camcorder down that and try to catch it on video. I would love to see that some time.
Nicole
           *********************************

"The Bone Jangler" <BONEJANGLER(*at*)thebonejangler.com>
                                   Wed, 28 Jan 2004
--- Timothy Herron wrote:
            > More soon, if you wish...

   I know that I do!
- TBJ
                                              *******************************             
                                         "Prof. Anton Griffin" <profgriffin(*at*)hotmail.com>
                                                            Wed, 28 Jan 2004
Re: BARON TIMOTHEUS offers several stories to tide you over, about (gasp! Dare I say it?!)... GHOSTS!!!
Greetings Baron,
   I have read, with great envy, your stories and accounts. As usual, your eloquence takes my breath away.
   I read with envy as I have NEVER (and the Griff means NEVER) had an encounter with unexplanable phenomenon. As much as I believe, and have wanted to see, or feel, or experience the other-worldly... alas, I have not.
   I have haunted (pun intended) supposed hot-spots of activity, and dwelled in houses reported to be haunted.
   But, nothing. Not even a cold spot....
   Perhaps they know I'm "looking"
   Perhaps I am not "open" spiritually
   Perhaps, (As Prosepero would say) My senses are much too dull.
   Oh well... I'll never stop believing.
RIP
Prof. Griffin
                                                 ***********************************

... We are, each, given many Gifts, unique, to our purpose and developement, in our own Spiritual Journeys... The Honesty, of each, of my Beloved Friends, from my HORRORHOST FANG-MILY Blessed me, greatly, as does your continued Celebration and Support. Our mutual Love provides the endurance, needed, for The Long Haul... and, makes Heaven, upon Earth. My Thanks, EVERNOW!
EXANIMO EVERNOW,
TIMMY & THE BARON & FRIENDS, GOO-O-OODD-D!, B.G.G.

[BARON TIMOTHEUS BGG]

    This article is still a 'work-in-progress', the obvious reason being cited, as not having all of the names, necessary to completely 'Historicalize' the events.
                                     *** MARY FRANCES FIDELI WICKERSHAM ***
                                           -----------------------------------------   
   This Wintry season of the year always reminds me of a Great Soul, Whom I was Blessed to know in this life. Her name: MARY FRANCES FIDELI WICKERSHAM. MARY was the wife of JACQUE WICKERSHAM. She was, also, the Mother of their only child, a little boy... I don't usually apologize, however, such is in order, for this recounting. As this took place, many years ago, so, names are hazy... if I can contact anyone from that era, who can furnish names, then, I shall add them... for, we are, ALL, "Called By Name".
                                        ---------------------------------------------
                                                SERENDIPITIOUS SURPRISE!!!
   PETER MADER, one of My Dearest BROTHERS from that Time, who would know all the names, just sent me an e-mail, by The DALI LAMA... The SYNCHRONICITY Of DIVINE GRACE strikes again!
                                     Thank YOU, LORD. 11/02/AD 2004
                                 ---------------------------------------------
   One of the many Marvelous 'Hats', that, I've been allotted to wear, was that of FRANCISCAN 'Monk'... I was led to JOHN MICHAEL TALBOT'S Group, THE LITTLE PORTION.... And, GOD Knew, that, I was ripe for the picking... Again, a great deal of expository back-story is required, to 'gel' this episode. The 'cast of characters', alone, is phenomenal!
                                  --------------------------------------------
   I never thought that I would live in ARKANSAS! However, for several years, I did just that. For the 2 years prior to this episode, I'd rumbled around both Indiana, and, Texas... Houston, to be exact, courtesy of my dear Brother, TOM ZINNS. I'd planned to settle there, doing Youth Ministry with him, however, GOD had other plans...
   I kept being awakened at night, between 2-4 AM, and, always, with the first line of a 'poem' engraved in my Consciousness. Even with my eyes open, I'd 'see' a blue-grey mist, a 3-Dimensional 'cloudiness', upon the backdrop of my mind, which held, engraved, with archaic gold lettering, and, surrounded by a shimmering, golden glow, the first line to a deeply spiritual poem...
   I could sense/feel/intuit the remaining lines, and, once I wrote the opening line down on paper, these lines and verses would follow, usually, quite easily. It was, as if, These 'Poems' were 'Breathing' me. They were Inner-Wisdom, coming to the Fore... I knew, that, they were being 'Sent', to signal the approach of a major change in my life...
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                          THE CALL TO THE MONASTIC LIFE.
                                          --------------------------------------
   The INNER Reality has always taken precedence over the 'outer' reality, in my life. And, I have been, often, reduced to helplessness, in order to comply with Its directives... So, then, it came as no surprise, when, on the journey back to Indianapolis, Indiana, supposedly to sell paintings (which several Friends had requested of me, and, for which, their lack of money to purchase them, excuses were made); I ended up too short of cash to get back to Texas... Which landed me, humbly, upon the doorstep of THE LITTLE PORTION of JOHN MICHAEL TALBOT.
   That story, while amazing, in its own right, would bog down the main objective of this writing... so, more on that, B.G.G., at some other time. We traveled from Indiana to Arkansas, where "JOHNNY MIKE" (as we called him) had been given DIVINE Instruction, nearly a decade before, to purchase a large plot of land... at that time, to his 'Hippie' mind-set, it would come in handy, to start a Commune. In the ensuing years, prior to our meeting, he had found GOD... or, where GOD wanted him, through the Inspirational Life of SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI (Who was, likewise, the Major Influence to my conversion to Catholic Christianity, back in the Autumn of AD 1970.)

   JMT'S Vision for THE LITTLE PORTION, was as a Community of Prayer, for men and women, called to the balance of the Active/Contemplative Life; especially, a celebration of That Life, through The ARTS! Need I say, that, it was 'Right up my alley...' Life in The LP, was a blissfully brutal mix of overlapping Spectrums, Human to DIVINE... after my Postulancy, and, Novitiate (a 2-year process), I sensed, that, it was time to leave. I realized, after those two years, that, 'The Monk' was a part of me, but, not all of me, and, that, if, I were granted my 'druthers', I'd 'druther' be MARRIED. We used to make jovial reference to the 3 Monastic Vows, of Poverty, Chastity, and, Obedience, as translating as:
                               NO MONEY, NO HONEY, and, NO FUNNY!
   It was a Wonderful, MIRACULOUS Experience, and, there was a bitter-sweetness to its ending... suffice it to say, a number of external influences assisted in the decision to return to the non-vowed state of life.

   It was, while in The Monastery, after our move to Arkansas, that, I met MARY. There was, mutually, an immediate, and, deep connection; we were Kindred Souls... she was, in many ways, the Kid Sister, whom I never had... yet, it was deeper than that, on a Spiritual Level.
   She was, just as purely, my 'Heart', after I left the Little Portion, once, the popular glow of being one of John Michael's 'Monks' has worn off, as she'd been, when I was embraced as 'one of The Monks'. MARY accepted, effortlessly, and, unconditionally, the Miracle of Who we were, irregardless of any outward sign of Holy Office. 'It' was 'something', which we never discussed... We just 'Were'.
   Both JACQUE & MARY were Baptised, and, raised in the Catholic Faith. I was part of the local Prayer group, of which JACQUE'S Parents were staunchly devout Members. They were French Quebec-Canadians, by Birth, and, spoke, often, in the French dialect of their Homeland. Like so many, MARY had 'left it behind' when she became an adult, maintaining a cosmic affability & respect for all paths to The Divine.
   Yet, The Mystical was the doorway to our hearts; we 'refreshed' each other, just by being our True Being... our meetings, in actual 'earth-time' were sparse, yet, the unshakable depth always reverberated between us. Her child (whose name escapes me, presently) grew, from about age 3 to about age 5 during our time of earthly connectedness.

[ChrisW]

Neonoodle, this isn't exactly a ghost story, but still manages to raise goosebumps.

One Christmas back in the 60s my sister received a Ouija board as a gift. I was about 8, she would have been 12. Her best friend from down the street came to visit Christmas afternoon to share "What'd ya get?" stories. Eventually my sister got around to showing her friend the Ouija board. As you'd expect, we started playing with it, asking silly questions and giggling over forced answers. As we tried to come up with more questions, her friend suggested asking it, "Is there really a Santa Claus?" My sister and I put our fingers on the planchette and asked the question. After a hesitation, it started moving. The answer it spelled out was,
"Only in the hearts of little children".
I never played with it again.
I'm getting goose bumps again thinking about it.

[BARON TIMOTHEUS BGG]

   I had heard, while in The LP, that, her doctors, preforming routine tests, discovered that she had a cancerous tumour, when the baby was in the womb... the doctors said, that: "If we abort the fetus, we can remove the cancer, and, you will, in all likelihood, be cured."
   Faced with that dilemma, MARY bravely opted to give LIFE to her child... and, as if, by GOD'S Approval, the cancer went into remission, so, that, the birth was uncomplicated by the disease. It remained, in remission, for several years.
                                     ----------------------------------------
   It happened, that, upon leaving The LP, I was given three different places to live, the Hillburns (Deacon Sam & Marianne), Pete, Candle, Jacque & Kinta Mader, and Jim & Colleen Hendrick & their 3 daughters... as well as, multiple different jobs... even, spending part of the year in Denver, Colorado, as a 'Nanny' to the children of Friends from college.
   So, visits with MARY became sporadic, at best. For several years, I returned to Eureka Springs, to act in THE GREAT PASSION PLAY, and, work in various stores, restaurants, do plays, etc.
                              -----------------------------------------------
  There was one restaurant, which served excellent food, reasonably priced. Being, predominantly; Vegetarian, at that time, their menu fell right in line with my taste buds. Again, in the lapse of 2 decades, the name of this eatery is lost to my memory. Its closing paralleled the events being, herein, related.
   On one of my earlier dining visits, the owner saw some of my paintings. She purchased two of them, in exchange for a number of meals, as I recall. Ah, the olde Barter system. The subject of both paintings was THE UNICORN. She expressed a desire for me to create an entirely UNICORN-Themed Decor for her Restaurant. However, I was so 'snowed-under', during that summer, with so many various jobs and projects, that, other than some sketches, and, one 3-D sculpting, which never progressed beyond the most basic rudiments, I lagged behind on this Restaurant's artwork.
   She did, however, proudly display the two painting, upon the walls of her establishment... prominently, to be used by GOD, to complete HIS Purpose. During that summer, I heard that MARY'S cancer had recurred, that, it was aggressively invading multiple sites in her body, and, that, she wasn't expected to live much longer.
   One day, not long after learning of the finality of MARY'S impending prognosis, I encountered her on Main Street, in Eureka Springs, a block down from the restaurant. I could tell, that, her brain was being affected by the cancer, as I witnessed her struggle to connectively form the sentences her thoughts demanded. There was an urgency to her speech to me, which amounted to a plea.
   She was, still, MARY. The grace of her Soul melded into mine, and, although, there was no need for speech, she stammered out these snippets of thought.
   "Hi, Tim... I was just eating at a restaurant... I saw a picture of a UNICORN... on their walls... I wanted to buy it... but, they said it was a present from you... they wouldn't sell it... I really liked it!"
   I replied: "I'll see what I can do, MARY, to paint a UNICORN for you."
   She gave me her most child-like smile, contented, that, in this non-reprievable adversity, which she, now, bravely, faced, we had, once again, been brought together, and, that, her heart's desire would be met.
   "I really want a UNICORN!" were her parting words to me...
    They, still, like the image of her, echo in my Soul... I was struck by an interior KNOWING, that, GOD wanted her to have a UNICORN: it was to be her 'steed' to HEAVEN... In MYSTICAL SYMBOLOGY, The UNICORN Represents CHRIST, as IT just drops down out of Heaven. As such, there is ONLY ONE UNICORN. IT, also, Represents, CELIBACY... as only The Pure in Heart may see IT, or, Be in ITS PRESENCE.
   The imputation of this, in MARY'S regard, is, that, GOD Sees, in Ways Far Higher than we are able, and, that, in HIS Sight, her Soul was Beloved by HIM.
                                    ------------------------------------------
   My intention was to begin work on her UNICORN... but, no suitable Candidate appeared upon my mental screen. Usually, Image/Vision, (call it what you will) effortlessly romped across my Mental Screen... in this case, however, an emptiness, and, a waiting... Bogged down by working several jobs, I didn't press it, either, secretly hoping, that, GOD would heal her, and, that, this parting gift would not be necessary...... Time flew.
   I'd be, momentarily, troubled, whenever I'd remember our last meeting, and, the Holy Light in MARY'S eyes, as I'd confirmed a UNICORN for her, but, life was not providing much simplicity... or, spare time, for the creation of such a charitable gift.
   Summer's dance was, too suddenly, over and gone... Autumn had surrendered the last shreds of its own dying beauty... and, Winter's harsh winds were announcing the crowning of its triumphal return. It was, now, early December. Reports of MARY'S Condition reached me. The worst news possible: She was failing, fast. Blind in one eye, limited sight in the other, the loss of the power of intelligible speech, as the cancer relentlessly attacked her now-frail body. Bed-ridden, she was only able to be held to a sitting position by her loving Husband, JACQUE, for brief moments at a time, as she lapsed, in and out, of her earthly consciousness.
                                        -------------------------------------
   A friend, PATTY MULLINS, Esq., had conveyed the news to me, that, the restaurant, where THE UNICORNS were on display, was closing... and, that, needing ready cash, they were selling everything. I saw, in this odd twist of fate, the Hand of GOD, moving to complete HIS Will, which I'd been, finitely, unable to accommodate.
   So, I told PATTY: "I know, that, you'd like one of those UNICORNS. You have my blessing on that, if, you will purchase them both. The other one, which MARY WICKERSHAM had described to me, is the One Ordained to be her Steed to The Heavenly Kingdom. Please, buy it for her, and, let's take it out to her, before she dies."
   PATTY did as I'd requested, and, together, we drove over the bumpy Arkansas back-roads, to JACQUE & MARY'S home in the wilds. Arriving, we went inside their simple dwelling.
                                  ----------------------------------------------
   JACQUE met us at the doorway, and, told us of MARY'S condition... confirming all that I'd heard, and, that, it would not be much longer, until MARY departed this life...
   Then, he ushered us into her room. He raised MARY to a near-sitting position. The tableau formed, was that of THE PIETA, in reverse. She was asleep, or, in some 'tethered' State of Unconsciousness.
   MARY had succumbed, more and more, in recent days, to a 'flickering' Consciousness; like a candle whose flame was sputtering, and, dimming, she was unable to maintain a steady awareness of her surroundings. Deprived of much sleep, MARY and JACQUE, continued to celebrate their Love. JACQUE was the Soul of Charity, caring tenderly for her every need in this sad, slow fade-out of Earth-life. In their simple needs, reduced to pure Caring, breath by Breath, and, heart-beat by heart-beat, I beheld The Holiness of Married Love.
   There was, in the same room, a coffin, made of simple, yet sturdy construction, meant to contain MARY'S physical remains, following her death. Its presence lent a quietly dignified affirmation of the Love, in which MARY was held by this community. Friends, knowing their poverty, had made it for her.
                                   -----------------------------------------
   I stood, perhaps, ten feet away, THE UNICORN Painting in my grasp. I held it up, to Heart-level, so, that, if, she opened her eyes, and, could see, she would know, that, GOD had fulfilled her desire... I added my own invisible energies, from my heart, to broadcast through the painting, to awaken her. Silently praying, I spoke to MARY, using Interior Speech, trusting, that, she would hear and understand:
   "MARY, it's TIMOTHY, By GOD'S GRACE. I am here. I've brought THE UNICORN you Need. Please, Awaken, Now."
   As if to acknowledge my silent call, MARY opened her eyes, returning to waking consciousness. She fixed her gaze in my direction. Then, I am certain, she 'saw' THE UNICORN... with what degree of sight, earthly, or, Other, I do not know. But, I Know, with every fibre of my BEING, that, she did see it. Her remaining, sighted, eye drank in the Image of her UNICORN; her Steed to her DIVINE HOME. She tried to speak, but, it came out garbled, unintelligible. I sensed, that, it was a:
                           "Thanks, and, Good-Bye... until next we meet."
   I merely said: "MARY, We LOVE You, Too." My heart was too overwhelmed to say anything more. Her gaze continued to burn into the Image upon the canvas. Satisfied, with what she had seen, her eyes, again, closed, as she lost physical consciousness, released to the peacefulness of slumber.
   JACQUE lovingly lowered her onto her bed, to rest peacefully, for her remaining time.
                                      ------------------------------------
   Then, he led PATTY and myself into the kitchen, where he wanted to talk to me.
   "TIM, ever since you and MARY met, she's called you her Brother." JACQUE said. "She Loved you, especially, and, when this disease came back, we talked about what we wanted for her funeral. As you know, we don't go to Church, but, she was insistent, that, she wanted you to be the one to give the graveside service, to say whatever is in your heart about her..." JACQUE continued: "The SAINT VINCENT DePAUL SOCIETY is willing to give us a burial plot for MARY, only if, the service is presided over by an Ordained Representative of the Church. We've agreed to let The Deacon, SAM HILLBURN, officiate, but, only, with his consent, that, you get to give the main part of the service, in accordance with MARY'S Final Wishes."
   "Friends from our community have already dug the grave, so, everything is ready. Here, in Arkansas, a dead body doesn't have to be embalmed, if, it is buried within 24 hours after death, so, when MARY dies, just be ready. I'll call you at the Hendrick's."
   I was stunned by this unexpected Honour... and, an Honour, it was; despite the sad condition, in which it was offered, it served to confirm the unspoken Depth, which MARY and I shared... a Heart-felt Mystical Union, unable to be contained by definition in Human speech. I have been Blessed, to share that State of BEING with a Goodly Number of Glorious Souls, in this lifetime. True Friends, they are, abiding, EVERNOW, within my Heart, In GOD. MARY was, despite our lack of Temporal Time spent together, a most Precious Member of This Family!
                                        -------------------------------------

                      *****************************************

[BARON TIMOTHEUS BGG]

   Spiritually buoyed from the Blessing received, I, too, was, physically, weary. I went home, and, entered the privacy of my room. Reading, praying, with MARY ever in the fore-front of my mind... I fell asleep... no recollection of any dreams... when, suddenly, at 3 AM, I was catapulted into Waking Consciousness!
   Again, The Inner Voice began to speak, in a poetic prose, of deeply moving imagery of MARY and I
                     ... of, how: "I cannot see you", as once we had, so easily;
                     ... of, how: "I cannot talk to you" as once we'd spoken...

... As each line dredged up from my very Depths, glowing in its Purity and, Purpose, I embraced, in both, sorrow and peace, this acceptance of the severing of finite ties with Beloved MARY; the words poured forth from my Soul, directly upon to the paper before me...
                                   ... "But, I can pray for you"...
                                   ... "But, I DO Pray for you!"...
   "This journey of sorrow you have made, has been the Freedom of your Soul, anointed by GOD to bring you HOME, EVERNOW, where You, in LIGHT DIVINE, Shall Pray For Us, ALL, until, We, too, join You, again."
                                  ---------------------------------------

   What I've offered, here, is a re-construct, starkly incomplete, of the poem, which I've not seen in years. I remember, that, a copy of it (The Original) still exists... I shall comb through my writings, to see if I can find it, for your fuller awareness of The SACRED Exchange going on, Without, WithIN, &, BEYOND, between GOD, MARY and me, BY GOD'S GRACE.
   I struggled to 'birth' many of the phrases; it was not an effortless task, to bring the fullest Blessing and Truth, that, I could, to this seemingly random poem's specific intent, which had 'tapped' me on the shoulder, in the middle of a, now, blustery, Wint'ry night. The wind had begun a howling lament, outside my upstairs window.
   My Mission was completed in a little over an hour; I read it, through,  several times, and, painfully satisfied, that, it reflected the situation as I knew it, I lay back down, to reclaim some portion of sleep.
                                  -------------------------------------------

   Before I could fall back to sleep, the phone rang... it was between 4:30 and 5:30 AM. I knew, that, it was JACQUE, calling to tell me that MARY was gone.
   It was. She had just died, in his arms. When he told me the sad news, I heard my voice, as if far away, say: "I know." I, then, told him of my being awakened to write, what, I felt, with his approval, should be read at MARY'S Funeral. He said, that, he would be glad to read it. Later that day, he did, and, approved it, with a Heart-felt sincerity.
                                   --------------------------------------------

   So, The Mercy had happened, MARY'S physical pain, and, suffering, had ceased. PATTY drove me over to JACQUE and MARY'S Home. There, now filling the coffin, was MARY'S body, emptied of The Person I'd known and Loved... In a moment, alone, in prayer, I knelt over her vacant form, and, lightly kissed its brow. A 'tingle', of 'negative' energy coursed through my own body, upon so doing. It was the final proof, that, these atomic, or, molecular, 'Suits', that, we wear, these 'costumes' of movable clay, which, we are taught to believe as being the Significent 'us', and, in Reality, is so often, 'mis-taken' for being 'WHO We Are', is a mere adornment, to facilitate our Growth, here, as we learn to Live LOVE, before we are Truly Born to EVERNOW LIFE.
                                     ----------------------------------------

   By the late morning, or, early afternoon, all was in readiness... Time stopped, frozen, as solidly, as this bleak winter day, in which we were all expected to navigate, to complete our Beloved Friend's earthly journey.

   Arriving at the grave-site, it was sorrow and chaos filling the ominous skies as well as on the earth. Last minute plans, instruction, by DEACON SAM, and, then...
                                                          ... 'It' began.

   I knew most of the townspeople gathered for MARY'S service; most, if, not all, were Baptized; most, if not, all, having chosen other paths of spirituality, for one reason or another... We usually we a light-hearted bunch... on this day, however, a maudlin emotion dampened the already dreary proceedings. There was some unspoken sense of resistance to the Christian message, but, the appreciation, that, at least, it had given MARY the wherewithal of a proper burial.

   The sky, overhead, was far more contentious. A truly bitter, piercing wind whipped, to and fro, assaulting us with a crystalline pummeling of snow, which was being flung at us, nearly horizontally, and, painful, as it careened, madly, into the tender skin of face, neck, or, hands.
   The clouds were roiling and boiling overhead, dark purples mixing with sullen grays, billowing violently, on this worst of days. The treacherous winds mocked and rebuked the assembled mourners, engulfing us in their stinging wind-chill; boasting the strength of their heartless superiority.
   Beside the yawning emptiness of the open grave, rested MARY'S Coffin, with its contents of fragile, placid clay, no longer animated, no longer able to feel the insult of this angry weather... freed of this earthly care. Nearby her coffin, sat THE UNICORN.
                                -------------------------------------------

   In this hostile environment, we began The Service. DEACON SAM, who had, also, known, and, loved, MARY, spoke of The Church's Mission to all Souls. He spoke, of the terms being met, to grant JACQUE and MARY this burial benefit... He spoke of GOD'S Love, offering the prayers of the Church on her behalf... There was a simple eloquence in his words, in a summation, which seemed to last only nano-seconds, before he turned the remainder of the service over to me.

   I stepped foreward, closer to the throng, now huddled together for warmth, and, like me, to be closer to the coffin, to MARY, and, to THE UNICORN. I don't remember, exactly, what words I spoke. They swelled from my heart, and, like the day swirling darkly about us, words and phrases seemed to mesh as strangely as the wailing winds flailing about us.

   I told the story of MARY AND THE UNICORN.... And, finally, of THE POEM, received at the same time as MARY'S Passing. As I launched into it, I raised my Right Hand, towards the coffin, towards the body of my Beloved Friend, and, in The CHRISTIAN SYMBOL of THE MOST HOLY TRINITY, extended my thumb, and, the first two fingers of my hand, as Blessing upon Her, for whom we were now met, to lay to rest.

   As I began reading, the weather was still just as furious as when I'd arrived... the howling lament of wind, whipping us with its freezing ferociousness of unbridled power, the spitting of harshly jagged snow... and, as far as the eye could see, the bristling, dark clouds...

   As I read aloud, all other focus faded away, except, for the depth of Communion in which I was involved, with MARY and GOD. Two verses went by; all external conditions remained unchanged. When I voiced the next verse, as I reached the part about:
                                              "I DO PRAY FOR YOU"...

                       ON THOSE EXACT WORDS, GOD Performed a MIRACLE!

   Every trace of this bitterly penetrating cold evapourated, like a dream! The clouds, likewise, INSTANTLY, dissolved... leaving only bright blue skies, where The Sun now shone, gloriously triumphant! The Temperature, too, a nano-second before, in the freezing range, raised, within a single breath, to something very comfortably mild. A gentle breeze plied our hearts with the fragrance of Heaven.

   MARY went HOME, amid this sudden blast of Earthly Glory; I had a sense, even, as I kept on reading to the Poem's end, that, I 'saw' her ascending to the Fullness, IN GOD, for which our human vocabularies are inarticulate, in their ability to accurately describe.

   I finished my reading... looked up... and, wondered, if, anyone had been listening. All around this graveyard, were faces Filled with JOY, at this inexpressible Good Fortune of our Beloved MARY. I had never seen DEACON SAM so dumbstruck; nearly, too dumbstruck to make mortal, verbal sense of WHAT he had just witnessed, in This Indisputable MERCY Of A LIVING GOD, WHO Knows How To LOVE; of A LOVING GOD, WHO Knows How To LIVE, EVERNOW! Every vestige of the sombre gloom was dispelled. MARY was in INFINITE BLISS, and, all of us, her Friends on earth were recipient of a taste of that Supreme Grace. It made Life glow a bit more with the Very Stuff, of which It is made.
   The remainder of the day settled into a Peace, such as the world cannot give...
EXANIMO EVERNOW,
TIMOTHY FRANCIS, B.G.G.
                         *********************************************
                                         Horrorhosts(*at*)yahoogroups.com
                                   Michael Newell <mnewell(*at*)theocc.com>
                            Re: Digest Number 3008 - Mary and the Unicorn
                                                 Wed, 10 Nov 2004
Tim and everyone,
   I was quite moved after reading Tim's memories of Mary and the Unicorn. I find it quite amazing how God touches our lives, and answers prayers.
   Tim's relationship with his friend Mary shows that friendships endure, even after long period of time elapse. It also shows prayers are answered, even when events are beyond our control. And it shows that God is listening. Indeed, the whole story is a testament to faith.
   I don't know Tim very well, only his countenance of Baron Von Wolfstein. I have enjoyed his essays in another group over the last 2 years. However, it was very pleasant to receive a little insight into his soul.
   Thank you, Dear Baron!
'Creech'

[CreepysFan]

 Sorry for your loss of such a dear friend in Mary, Baron, but rest assured she ascended on her special Unicorn into God's very presence.  And the two of you shall indeed, meet again in perfect splendor.   ChrisW, as far as Ouija boards go, I remind you of Regan from the Exorcist.  Remember that Blatty wrote the story from a true experience.  Although in reality it was a boy possessed instead of a girl as in the book and movie.

[BARON TIMOTHEUS BGG]

AMEN, CREEPY'S FAN, AMEN!!
... At the earlier report, about the Bloomington Haunted apartment, there was so much ghostly activity, that TIM & SHARON brought out the QUIJA BOARD... with stunning results... The Mercy, of GOD, protects fools & children!
EXANIMO EVERNOW,
TIMOTHY FRANCIS, B.G.G.