Gray Lady, 25 Years Later

As the flowers started to bloom, I realized I had not had an incident with the gray woman in a few months. I was glad and grateful. If I didn't see or deal with any thing like her ever again, it would be fine by me.

My Mom found a new apartment, larger, brighter and in a bit of a better neighborhood. As my Mom worked several jobs and my sister and I were home for spring break from school, we began to do a lot of the packing.

I was packing my books in my room and that all too familiar chill filled the air. I froze in fear and panic. The laughter then started, filling the whole room. I remained motionless for what seemed like an eternity, but was probably a few minutes listening to the cackle.Again, thi shorrible laugh seemed to fill the entire air, as if coming from a stereo system. I finally turned around just in time to see the bed spread being yanked off my bed. It was tucked in tight as my mother had us make our beds with hospital corners. It was yanked off with force!

I ran from my room and sat on the couch breathing rapidly. My sister came out and asked what was wrong. I tried to fib and tell her nothing. She asked me, "It was her again, wasn't it, that lady thing?"

I told her I did not see anyone (which is not a lie, I did not see anyone). She stood there a moment and then advised me that she would be so happy to move out of that apartment and leave this lady thing behind.

These events took place around 25 years ago, and I remember them so vividly. I would like to say that when we moved, the gray woman stayed behind, but that has not been the case.

Whenever there is a significant event occurring in my life, she shows up. Weddings, funerals, graduations, children being born, you name it, if the event has significance to me; she will appear sometime and somewhere. Always with the piercing laugh, the bold stare, floating backwards and making just enough of a mess to be bothersome.

I have had each of the homes I live in blessed and have also used the sage and lavender. I am a Christian and attend church regularly. We have a Christian home.

She never does anything that is actually harmful, just frightening, frustrating and annoying. She has been around for so long, you would think I would expect to see her, but I don't and I never will.