The 100 Years Club Installment #97: I See Dead People

I don't LITERALLY see dead people, although it IS the Halloween season.

But I DO honor some dead people and think about what they contributed to my life.

Dead people fall into two categories:

• Humans that are really dead, as in no longer living on this earth.
• Those who were in our lives at one point, but we chose to "bury" because they hurt us somehow.

This past week, I had coffee with Mike Maimone, a super-talented musician who has become a great buddy. He was married to?Howard Bragman, one of my best friends from college and beyond.

People who died (literally)

Howard died suddenly at 66 and left so much behind, including a significant gift to the University of Michigan. Over the years, I used to call Howard for business and personal advice, and I still hear his voice when I face challenges. Seeing Mike revived Howard's spirit for both of us.

My mother died right after Halloween in 2021, and this time of year always brings back her memory, her wisdom and wit, and some of her irritating habits (some of which I have inherited). She always believed in me and supported my broad range of passions and business/life choices.

These beloved people may "visit" us in our dreams, expressions, and even weird and quirky supernatural?occurrences. After our losses, Mike, my daughter, and I all had "owl sightings."

"In many cultures, owls are seen as guardians of the afterlife, guiding souls on their journey. Their watchful presence can provide comfort, suggesting that a loved one is being looked after by a wise and protective spirit." - Source

Bring out your cerebral Ouija Board to conjure up pleasant memories of people who have literally died and left their wisdom and genes behind. And if you get signs from the universe (animals or others), just go with it. The world may be a spookier place than we know!

Then, we have the second group

They include bad boyfriends and girlfriends, friends who abandoned us when we were in need, and people who are just narcissistic, nasty, and/or cruel.

Some come back as "zombies" because they aren't entirely done gnawing away at our metaphorical flesh. Others remain in the past. I may occasionally hold an unhealthy "seance" and check in on one of them -- immediately regretting it.

These dead should stay buried

As we head into the new year, consider eliminating these people from your life.

Demons and evil ghosts only belong in scary movies, not in your precious time on earth!

Happy Halloween!?

Watch for next week's blog when the theme turns to GRATITUDE!

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More life-and-death tips:

Fun (yes, fun) funeral trends

The best and worst things to say to grieving people

Family estrangement is on the rise

Zombieing and ghosting in dating