my children see 'ghosts'

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Guardian Angels and yes … you read that title correctly.  I have two children who say they have seen ghosts.

The first encounter with a spirit was with my daughter who was born nine months after Tabitha died.  When she was about two years old, she was playing outside at my parents house and came running, terrified, around the house from the backyard.  My mom talked with her and managed to calm her down.  When I went to pick her up, my mom told me about the experience.  Hoping for more information and details, I tried asking a few questions.  Was the ghost a boy or a girl?  Was it wearing clothes?  Did it talk to you?  All she told me was "I don't know.  It was loud."  She talked about the ghost for months.

Our second experience happened with my same child and her little brother not long ago.  They said that they had a visit from a ghost while in their shared bedroom, sleeping.  The ghost talked to both of them, but they were not able to tell me what it said.  Once again, they could not provide a physical description of what their ghost looked like, either.

So, here's what I say to my two- and four-year-olds, not just today on this feast day of the guardian angels, but every time we talk about their ghost:  I tell them that this is their special angel, not a ghost.  Their angel comes to visit and to check in with them.  She will never hurt them, only protect them.  Their angel does not want to scare them.  She loves them.

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