Like Mother, Like Daughter

Fifteen year-old freshman, Allena Kinker, had decided to spend a Friday night with her paternal grandmother, Janice Zarbaugh, in Groveport, OH.

In Allena’s eyes, Grandma needed cheered up after the death of her husband, Robert, from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) on October 11, 2011. 

Both Allena’s maternal and paternal grandfathers had passed away before her birth. Robert had been the only grandfather she’d ever known. The relationship between the two had been strong.

It was 9pm (bedtime). Allena was snuggled up in her pajamas as she slipped into slumber on the living room couch. Through the nearby arch slept her grandmother.

At 4am the next morning, Allena’s eyes fluttered open. What she saw made her tongue-tied, nervous, and completely freaked out. Nearby, Allena could hear an exhausted Grandma snoring away, and completely unconscious to the predicament of her granddaughter.

In a nearby chair that used to be occupied by Robert Zarbaugh sat a ghostly version of her smiling grandpa clothed in his usual glasses, t-shirt, and pajama pants. By the time a smiling Robert had stopped at the arch entering his bedroom, he’d changed into the kind of suit, tie, and hat he used to wear to a Sunday morning church service. 

Allena decided she had no desire to see what happen next. The sheets came over head until it all went away. Later that morning (over her cell phone), Allena’s mom was the only person that could talk her out of the meltdown that was beginning to develop in her head. Bobbi’s advice to Allena was to calm down, and think about something else. Grandma Zarbaugh could never hear about this from her.

Over two years later, Bobbi would have her own heavenly guest (see The Visitor) that would have a lasting effect on the mother she is today. Like Allena have you ever had an unexplainable caller in the middle of the night? What did you do? How did you react?

There are many things in life that cannot be reasoned out with your four senses. Though you may think you are different, there are others like you who have also seen the reality of spirits. You are not crazy, but you must come to terms with this ability, or your life will be all you hoped it could be.