"Looking for my brother's ghost."

[shrike3]

Lovely story about grief, loss and the way we feel connected with loved ones even after they're gone.
 
https://www.thecut.com/article/looking-for-my-brothers-ghost.html

What our pediatrician called “night terrors,” our 2-year-old son Kian called “the scary lady who I see at night.” He slept just ten feet down the hall in our Brooklyn apartment. The close proximity didn’t keep me from checking the Nest Cam constantly. I would stare at the blurry black-and-white image on the screen, his little belly rising and falling as he slept.

One night, I heard a rustling and grabbed the monitor. Kian was sitting up, staring at the foot of the bed, seemingly in full conversation. His toddler rambling became more and more anxious, and then he lifted his arm — not unlike in a scary movie — pointed with his index finger, and began to scream.

Kian’s father sided with the pediatrician. But I recognized the look on my son’s face. I had seen it before on my little brother Neal.

[Farmer-Rick]

1. My daughter had night terrors at 8 yrs old.

She definitely wasn't talking to any ghosts. It was pretty horrible trying to wake her and calm her. Your baby is screaming and you can't protect her from it. It's no fun.

What the link describes sounds more like sleep walking.

I think night terrors are more a symptom of anxiety then of ghosts.

There is a mental illness you can get that basically boils down to seeing your dead loved one. At times, I wish I had that mental illness. But then I think of all the accompanying delusion and emotional upset that comes with that mental illness and I'm glad I don't see ghosts.

[shrike3]

2. Mental Illness? What's it called? Never heard of it.

There is a phenomenon called grief hallucinations which are quite common; about fifty percent of the bereaved have them. I think mental illness is too strong a word.

I've known folks who've seen deceased loved ones, and none are mentally ill. Some saw them years after their loved ones passed. In every case, the experience was comforting. So, what's the harm?

I thought the article was beautifully written and worth sharing. I have seen participants in this group discuss experiencing this very phenomenon and thought they'd appreciate it. Whatever gives one comfort.