Could my mother be just imagining this "ghost"?

Question

She has a house that she knows the history of, including knowing about a man who used to live there. When she mows the lawn in the backyard she says she can see him standing in the back window watching her. But when she turns her head, he's gone. If there were really a spirit, wouldn't he still be there when she turns her head?

I will admit, some things that happen in that house are a bit difficult (but not impossible) to explain. Like my son's talking dog toy would randomly say phrases in the middle of the night even though no one is near it to push and buttons, that sort of thing. As well as what I can only describe as a feeling of unease when I'm alone in the kitchen at night.

Answer 1

Well, seeing things out of the corner of your eye is nothing paranormal. In fact, it's very common and is a consequence of how our eye is formed. Our peripheral vision is sensitive to motion but not color, due to a high concentration of rods but few cones. A window can reflect sunlight in different directions as you move, giving an indication of motion, and this can be noticed with the peripheral vision. However, the peripheral vision is poor at resolving images, and so there is plenty of room for power of suggestion to take over. I think that's all that is.

Regarding the toy, I don't find that too peculiar. I've got a 9 month old boy with several electronic toys, a couple of which that respond to touch or motion. Every so often I'll hear one making noise in the living room when no one is in there. Cheap electronics, what are you gonna do? :)

Answer 2

You feel uneasy because you're alone. Who hasn't at some point or another? Sometimes we feel like we're being watched. Your mother is not unusual in thinking she's being watched when mowing. Mowing creeps me out too because it's so loud that anyone could approach you and you wouldn't know it. Perhaps it's this insecurity that makes your mother think she is being watched. She attributes it to the easiest source she can--a man she knows lived there in the past.

Toys can go on and off randomly. Had your mother not mentioned the ghost man then you probably wouldn't have thought twice about the toys, but since she planted the seed you are going to be more likely to look at things in a paranormal light now, subconsciously reinforcing her assertion.

Try to get some information out of her on the man. Then see if you can find out anything about him. What if he were still alive? What if he never lived there at all? That would make her rethink things a bit wouldn't it?

Answer 3

I would say it is either imagined or she is losing her mind.
The dog toy is easy to explain. The switches which trigger the phrases are very tight, so changing temperatures will cause the switch components to contract and expand and occasionally touch each other.
The man in the window is not likey anything but her imagination. The periferal vision tends to detect movement, but not very good images. Often the mind makes up information for data in the periferal vision.
The feeling of unease is simply suggestion. People often feel uneasy in the dark when everything is silent.

The bottom line is, ghosts are fiction and you need to realize that it is not possible for someone to return from the dead to live amongst the living.

Answer 4

I don't think she is imagining seeing a ghost. However, she may be seeing an optical illusion due to her position (if she is looking out the corners of her eyes, etc.) and the light on the window. That of course is where a skeptic would stop damn those people who want to experiment, investigate, learn and test theories.
I would go with your mother and standing where she stands (at the same time of day, etc.) I would see if I could see anything. From that angle I would attempt a photograph.
Then I would clean the window and try the experiment all over again.
Would a spirit stay put? There is no reason to expect this as most reported ghost sightings last less than 15 seconds. It is a shame they won't keep their appointments for laboratory testing so we could get information and possibly find a cure for their "chronic etherness"

The dog toy could be explained by low batteries or just poor electronics (consider not buying lead laden cheap Chinese made toys for your dog). Now if the toy starts levitating you have something more than cheap electronics or even if the toy starts saying phrases that aren't programmed into it.
Until then I wouldn't think this could be related to a possible spirit.

Answer 5

I have a Paranormal Group as well and we do not charge at all. This is the kind of group you really should be looking for and also have they been doing this sort of work for quite awile as well.
Spirits don't tend to stick around for to long for you even say Hi to it. It was more than likely the man who lived there and just wanted to see what was going on with the land he lived on. Usually it is something that has unfinished business or just want to check on his land. I would have to say as long as your mother is not afraid and feels comfortable it being around her than I would just leave it alone. He just isn't ready to go to the light and when he does, you and your mom will know. It doesn't feel threatening at all. As far as the toy goes that could be him letting you know that he is still near and needs your help with something.
Just don't freak out and put weird ideas in your head. You all are going to be just fine.

Answer 6

i dont reaaly know for sure.. its very possible that there really is a spirit in that house. if strange things continue to happen then it is time to really consider that there may be a spirit in the house. keep an eye on your son when there.. spirits are known to target kids as they are more vulnerable. many ppl dont know this but it has been proven that spirits can harm us... like throwing things at us. there was even a case where the husband was possesed and tried to kill his wife twice.. first, by trying to suffocate her... 10 seconds later he was completely normal and was wondering why his wife was crying.. on another occasion.. he came home late one night.. as the wife opened the door for him he raised his axe and was about to stab her.. she locked the door.. he started axing the door. she immediately called the cops...later when he was in jail, he had no memory of what he had done.. so i suggest you be alert and try not to leave your son in a room alone.

Answer 7

No, I don't think your mother is imagining things at all! A ghost doesn't necessarily stick around once you spot them. They're pretty unpredictable! It helps that your mother knows the history of her house; she knows who may be in there with her. Have you checked in your area for a paranormal group to do an investigation? Do a websearch for groups in your area. A reputable group will not make any promises to "cleanse" your home, and will not charge for their investigation. My group will sometimes investigate a property several times before reaching any conclusions. As for your feelings of unease? Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable, it may be that you are a "sensitive"; someone who feels the presence of ghosts. Have you tired talking to it? Do whatever feels right to you.

Answer 8

What your mother is experiencing is not that unusual. It could very well be that the house is haunted, although fortunately it appears that her particular specter is fairly harmless. The apparition in question could be a former owner or dweller of the house, or may be the shade of a deceased relative or friend. Besides the odd appearance, things may occasionally disappear or seem to misplace themselves seemingly of their own accord. My advice? As long as the presence is not aggressive, abusive or overly disturbing, just live with it.

Answer 9

There's no paranormal activity, just as you said yourself, it's pure imagination.

Why people suddenly start "seeing" ghosts or haunting in a house whose owner tragically died?

People actually "sees" and believes ghosts because they know that ghosts are a proof of an "after life" and they want to believe it.

Sorry but I don't believe in any so called "paranormal" events, because no one has ever proved any.

Answer 10

It could be, you never know. You should call the TAPS. The investigate stuff like that. They go to your house for free. So I heard. Go tho their website. There not like those people "I feel this and that" they use EVP's and digital stuff its good.