I did not believe in ghosts when I moved my family into the brown rented house in Ironton, Ohio in 1975, but I would come to believe!
On the very first day and night there, I felt something strange lurking in the house, especially near and in the linen closet. I felt cold, and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. I also, felt a chill when I walked up and down the stairs, or when I was near the record player.
At first I shrugged it off as being just a draft from the door or window, but when it became too strong to deny, even though I still had my doubts, I decided to believe that there really was something there, and “talk” to whatever it was. I made a pact with the “ghost” and told it that I would keep the linen door open at night and play the record player often only if it would not show itself to my children or scare them. I kept my part of the bargain, and opened the closet door every evening so it could roam around the house, and do whatever ghosts do. I played country songs on the record player every day. My children never saw or felt anything strange or scary in the house,and neither did the babysitter, or any one else who came into the house.
This went on for a month or so, and then I learned from a neighbor that a senile old man had been shut up in the linen closet by his son, so he would not have to deal with him. One day the old man escaped his prison and the son was so mad that he pushed him and the old man fell down the stairs, which killed him. The neighbor said that there had been tales of the old man haunting the house we now lived in, but she had never seen anything herself.
It was a sad story, but now knew what I had been feeling. It was the ghost of the old man who liked to roam up and down the stairs at night, stay in the linen closet, and listen to music on the record player.
Then one day I had to get a new babysitter, for my old one was busy. I did not know the new girl very well, but she did have good references.
So, I went off to work thinking that all would be well at home, but when I returned home I found the babysitter on the porch, crying and shaking. She was babbling something about seeing a ghost.
She told me that when the children were asleep, she had left the house to meet her boyfriend and was gone for about 15 minutes. When she returned, she said that a ghost appeared to her, was mad at her for leaving the children alone, and chased her out of the house and onto the porch. It scared the daylights out of her.
After she calmed down and I scolded her too, for leaving the children alone, I sent her on her way. I checked on the children and they were just fine, sleeping like little lambs. I opened the linen closet and said “Thank you” to the ghost for watching over my children, and I never closed the linen closet door again.
Sent in by L. J. Richard, Copyright 2009 TrueGhostTales.com
More Ghost Stories and the Paranormal | |||
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awww.
ugh this brought a smile to face.its very nice how you trusted him and made a pact. and he protected your kids. 
Oh wow what a nice story, I mean its sad because of what happened to the old man, but nice in the way that he was looking out after your children. That oughtta teach that babysitter!! Learned her lesson!! That poor old man, there is a lot of elderly abuse out there.
thank u L.J. for sharing ur story. what a sweet story! gave me goose bumps (the good kind) & almost made me cry. as a mom of 5 (ages 11, 9, 6, 4 & 14 mos) i could only wish for an “extra set of eyes’” to look over my babes.
odd, how given the sad nature of what happened the man (in spirit) was willing 2 comfort u. what a kind man he must of been!
diddo here yes it was sad that a son could do that to a parent, and i hope he was investigate and charged, but i’m oh so glad you have him there. but don’t you think maybe he would be better off crossing over. he must have a wife there. but anyway thanks for the heartwarming experience. oh boy is know to much gonna like this one!!
Thanks for your nice story & thanks for the good spirit who protected your kids.The nice part of your story that the spirit could fulfilled his pact & the human failed to do the same, as the babysitter did. The ghost learned us the lesson, I think he was a kind person in his ex-life.I felt sorry to his tragic death. Thanks again for your sharing.
Regards.
You’re too nice I hope you didn’t pay her!! I don’t believe he’s senile anymore in the afterlife that was a nice story!
Oh,, that was a wonderful story. I have read 3 in a row now, and im about to cry…. Just so touching!!! My mom is in a retirment home, and there are spirits that like to wonder around.. they seem to be happy enough, just checking things out!!! The old man reminded me of my dad who passed away 6 years ago, he would have done the same thing,lol.. chased that babysitter away!!! Im sure he will cross over when the time is right, and be with his other loved ones…
God bless,,, ktm
I am so glad that you posted your story check out my story, The Ugly Women That Was Really Butiful, It is really good, hope you have over came what had happend
What a lovely story. It breaks my heart that a son could do that to his father! I can’t even imagine that. I am so glad he looks after your children, but I agree that maybe you should see if you can get him to go into the light. He has had so much suffering in this life, his after-life should be peaceful, not spent in a linen closet! Just say out loud to go into the light, that there are loved-ones waiting for him.
Wow that was cool of the ghost! Good idea on making that pact with him and not just ignoring the haunting… How lame of the baby sitter! Uh-huh sure it was only 15 minutes! I give props to the ghost, taught her a lesson! I’m glad you thanked him, Sounds like the kind of person who would appreciate it. You should play him some Johnny Cash, everyone likes the man in black.
I really enjoyed reading your story…and glad that you shared it…as it helps people to see that ;as I ststed on a differant comment on a differant story…I believe that ‘ghosts’ can be good to live and co-exisit with..as long as they are the good ones..for if the ghost is good and likes sharing the house with us..I believe they will help and protect the home and the people that live in the home..altho it was sad how the older man died…but maybe for the time being ‘he’ is happy to stay in the house…and you and your child have the extre help and protection of the older man a.k.a ‘ghost’! Blessed Be!!!
Thank you all so much for your nice comments.
I have kept the old man “ghost” in my heart for many years. I do not know what happened to him. I had to move, for they were tearing down that house and the houses around it to expand the school next door.
I pray he went over. He deserved too.
Thanks again.