The Boo-Fest

I was browsing through blogs and came across this very spook-tacular boo-fest. I decided to make a last minute entry because it really is such a fun idea. This blogfest is being held by Quinn at Seeing, Dreaming...Writing. He asks the question:

Have you ever seen a ghost or know anyone who has?

I've always had a strange relationship with ghosts. I grew up doing community theater. Now, if you ever worked in a theater, you know that almost all of them have their own ghost stories. My college theater was haunted by 'The Lady in Red' although I never saw her myself. At the community theater I grew up in, however, it was Oscar.

Rumor had it, Oscar was a janitor who had died in the attic of the theater. I'm almost positive this never happened. But I do believe there was a presence in that theater that wasn't entirely human. It's possible he materialized, much like Freddy Krueger, based on years of belief in him, passed down from one generation of young actors to the next. I remember the older kids holding Seances. In retrospect, I'm sure they "moved" things around themselves, but back then it was Oscar doing it.

Most people are frightened by ghosts, but I grew up with Oscar. Unlike most ghosts, he was friendly and comforting. I used to think Oscar followed me around. That he sensed a kindred soul in me. I even remember starting a new school and being comforted thinking Oscar had left the theater to help me along. Although I don't doubt there was something walking those dark theater aisles, I doubt whatever it was payed much attention to me or followed me to school. But, like most authors, my imagination gets away from me sometimes, especially when I was young.

Whatever it was, whether actual spirit or manifestation of children's beliefs, Oscar was my first run in with the otherworldly and one that surely has influenced my love of the paranormal today.  I sometimes forget about him and it's nice to take a moment and reminisce.

I hope you all enjoyed learning a bit about my haunted upbringings. Thanks to Quinn and Patricia A. Timms for hosting this boo-fest. Be sure to head to Quinn's blog and visit the other entries.