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This post has a funny ending, trust me.
I literally just dozed off. It was around 2:30 am. I hear my phone ringing… and it’s Kari’s ringtone. You might imagine, these calls in the middle of the night are quite unsettling. She does exactly what I asked her to do when calling me and immediately tells me everything is fine. Whew! Double-whew!
She’s scared. I can hear it in her voice.
She tells me she was just listening to the television in her room, scolding herself for not being able to sleep. She flips from one side to the other. Just as she does this see see her room door bows — like someone is trying to break it down — and hears the accompanying loud bang. I certainly understand why she’s frightened.
I was happy to hear her say she had her door locked. When I helped set-up her room last month I installed an deadbolt and slide bolt lock to keep her safe. I’m not sure what caused what she saw, but I have some theories. I’ll begin with the least likely an work my way up.
- Theory One: A Haunting. I’m never one to discount this entirely. I know, this doesn’t sound like me but I know that we only see and hear a in very small, limited spectrum. It’s proven that, given heightened awareness, we can expand these limits a bit. There is so much that happens in this world that are beyond our human senses. Even dogs can hear and smell better. So, to me, a haunting is not necessarily ghostly.
- Theory Two: A Roommate. Let’s face it, roommates are notorious for pulling a good prank. Given that the house was built well over 100 years ago (so I’m told) there are bound to be ghost stories.
- Theory Three. Hypnagogic Hallucinations. Sounds scary, doesn’t it? Well, it’s not. In fact, most people experience this at some time and it’s completely harmless. Most research suggests it might well be caused by anxiety, poor lifestyle, or lack of sleep (a typical college existence, right?). These are most common in people between the ages of 15 and 24. It happens when a person is just about transitioning into sleep (or waking). These experiences are completely real to the person. I suspect this phenomenon explains more than a few “alien abductions” and “hauntings”.
She's a Scaredy Cat. <via cheeseburger.com>
Ken,
You are an amazing father! Both Kari and Ryan are lucky to have you. I know my father would have done the same thing!
What a good daddy you are! I’m sorry to say I wasn’t able to play your music video, but I’m sure it’s awesome 🙂 More importantly, it served a very important purpose. I wouldn’t have thought to call my father to calm my fears when I had a similar experience in college (even if cell phones had existed in the 80s), so Kari is very blessed to know that her dad is on duty 24/7 for both of his kids. I do have an amendment to add to Theory Two: how about a sleepwalking roommate/housemate? Karen had a sleepwalker enter her (unlocked) dorm room her freshman year and do something truly bizarre. I’ll have her share that story with Ryan and Kari herself. It’s kinda nasty… (Oh, and kudos to King Kenny-Face for putting locks on the door and to Princess Kari for using them!)
Like, like, like! Lock those doors after you go in, Kari! Please! I’m a scardy cat! Couldn’t view the video either. 🙁
Can’t believe no one posted a ghost story! It was a full moon, Kari, All the goblins, vampires and werewolves were out practicing to scare us to death on Hallowe’en!
Gotta love daughters with active imaginations. They will continue to fascinate the men in their lives forever. (Dads and brothers included)
I thought your “song” was going to be set to the tune of, “She’s a Maniac.” Hmmm…I might be on to something! :o)
Seriously, I was really touched by the thought that you’d watch her door while she slept. There is NOTHING like the love of a parent.
OMG, i love, love, love this. Uh, Ken…….would you possibly consider adopting…….well, ALL of us…..? You rock:)
LOL!!!!! You probably ought to place this on you-tube! It would go viral! Give King Kenny-Face a contract immediately:)
Anne, I was thinking along the same lines! Maybe he should start a Rent-A-Dad business :0)
He already has! Last count was somewhere around 10,000 of us, and then we adopted him back along with the family and entire city of Ashburn. 🙂 <3
Rock on!
Crap, I’m jealous!!! My father never read bedtime stories OR sang auto-tuned melodies to me!! Kari’s got it good!!
Kari is so blessed to have you for her Dad — someone she can always count on to be there for her, no matter what. You are awesome!!
Hoping you and Ryan have a smooth day together, and sending hugs, love and prayers as always…Paula
p.s. I just listened to “Scaredy Cat” — LOL!! I bet you made all the spooky stuff go away and replaced it with giggles!! Good work, Ken!!
Ken, We know you’re an awesome Dad to Ryan and Kari and help to calm their fears and they are lucky to have you… Like Carla said.. it’s so great they are able to go to you, but try to stick to writing and videos :):) 🙂 As always here for you all and hope Kari has no more scary incidents. Gail
Now, I know you wouldn’t be putting down my musical stylings…. so, are you suggesting I make a music video?
Ken, I feel bad I’m the only one that commented on your “singing”:): It was “ok,” but stick to writing ,even when our boy Ryan is better ,You have a great way with words and making narrative videos. And what a nice thing to do for Kari. :). Gail
LOVE IT!
I think it’s a true testament to you, Ken, to have a college-age child who looks to her daddy for comfort. Yep. As my girls say, “Youdabet!” (You da best).
Hugs/smiles, carla
Love it! I have stories to tell–later! 🙂
I wish my father were half the dad that you are! When I was in college, my dad would have never been so awesome! You are one great dad!! Both Kari and Ryan are blessed.
Every dad is awesome in their own way!
Michele, I believe you on your thoughts on you dad, though I do not know him. I don’t understand why you received 5 dislikes. As you get older you may understand him better, and then you may not. Many people do have difficult relationships with their parents. Hugs~
You are an awesome dad!!!!! Ryan and Kari are very lucky to have you. Ryan is always in my prayers.