The Haunting

Today, Kevin and I completed the USA Rock and Roll Half Marathon in DC. It's not unusual to see familiar faces along the course at a local event. While we were riding home on the Metro, I mentioned that I had seen Team in Training running coach, John Park, on the course. Kevin said that he had also seen John riding his bike along the course in Rock Creek Park and almost called out to him. 

Normally, it wouldn't be unusual to see John, clad in neon green compression socks, on the course supporting runners, especially during a TNT event. 

However, John died over two years ago during the Nation's Triathlon.

This isn't the first time I've seen, heard or smelled things that couldn't possibly there. Shortly after my mom died, the light on the front porch would flicker each time I would walk under it. There was nothing wrong with the lightbulb or the light itself. 

The day after she died, a green light flickered as I drove under it.

One morning, I woke up to the strong smell of perfume. Specifically, my mother's perfume. Later that week, my husband mentioned smelling her perfume at work.

My Dad's TV keeps coming on by itself at random. The show that consistently comes on? My Dad's favorite show, NCIS. (Kevin insists it isn't mom, or else the TV would turn to HSN. I insist that she is being nice and letting him watch NCIS.)

I often get the sensation of being watched, which is annoying. I mean, who really wants their mother to be omnipresent?

Do we miss Mom so much, that we attribute a bunch of coincidences to her actions beyond the grave? Are we so accustomed to seeing John at races that we think that someone who looks similar to him is actually him? Or are they trying to reach out to us in the only way they can? I truly want to believe the latter. I mean, Mom did threaten to haunt us on a number of occasions. And John wouldn't be anywhere else but supporting his team on the course.

Don't cross this woman. She WILL haunt you.