A mother tells the true story of a mysterious force that tore through her house, pushed her children, and terrified her father
HOW OR WHY a particular place becomes haunted is a mystery, although theorized contributing factors range from certain environmental conditions to the residual aftermath of human tragedy, suffering, and death. But these factors are of little concern to the families that live at the center of the paranormal activity. They only know that their houses are disrupted, their routines shattered, and their children feel threatened.
Lainey had no idea what lay in store for her family when they moved into what they thought was a cozy Kentucky farmhouse. There was something there... a presence that might only have been curious about these new tenants. Or was this force something more sinister? This is Lainey's story....
These incidents occurred over several months from June, 2000 until we moved in October, 2001. My family rented a large farmhouse in the Oakland area of South Central Kentucky. From day one, something was unsettling in this home.
THE HAUNTING BEGINS
The first night we spent there, my husband and I were in bed being intimate, and I heard a man laughing from the vent by the stairs. I heard it three times, but my husband did not. Trying to ignore the obvious, I put it out of my mind.
Friday, February 20, 2015
'Ghost Around the Dog House' - A Real Life Paranormal Story
I live in Bailey, North Carolina with my mother, father, brother, grandmother, and grandfather. We live in one of those wood houses with a basement and an attic. We've had a few weird things happen to some of us.
I'll start with my brother. He told me that one night he woke up late and was paralyzed in bed with a dark, hooded figure right next to his bed. When he took a nap in our mom and dad's room, he says he was again paralyzed and heard bones rattling. Another time, he fell asleep on the couch with our female miniature poodle and she kept barking and growling at the hallway. My brother says that he turned on the lamp to see and there was no one there at all, and that our poodle would only go to sleep with the lamp on and with his arm around her.
I'll start with my brother. He told me that one night he woke up late and was paralyzed in bed with a dark, hooded figure right next to his bed. When he took a nap in our mom and dad's room, he says he was again paralyzed and heard bones rattling. Another time, he fell asleep on the couch with our female miniature poodle and she kept barking and growling at the hallway. My brother says that he turned on the lamp to see and there was no one there at all, and that our poodle would only go to sleep with the lamp on and with his arm around her.
'Boy at the ice cream shop' - A Touching Moral Story
A 9 year old boy went to an ice cream shop.
Waiter: "What do you want?"
Boy: "How much does an ice cream cone cost?"
.
Waiter: "$3.00"
Then the Boy checked his pocket and asked how much does a small cone cost?
The Waiter irritated, he angrily says: "$2.00"
The Boy ordered a small cone, had it, paid the bill & left.
When the Waiter came back to pick up the Boy's empty plate, tears rolled down from his eyes.
The Boy had left $1.00 as tip for him.
“MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY WITH
SOMETHING YOU HAVE”.
That’s Life..
Waiter: "What do you want?"
Boy: "How much does an ice cream cone cost?"
.
Waiter: "$3.00"
Then the Boy checked his pocket and asked how much does a small cone cost?
The Waiter irritated, he angrily says: "$2.00"
The Boy ordered a small cone, had it, paid the bill & left.
When the Waiter came back to pick up the Boy's empty plate, tears rolled down from his eyes.
The Boy had left $1.00 as tip for him.
“MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY WITH
SOMETHING YOU HAVE”.
That’s Life..
'How much do you earn?' - A Heart Touching Real Life Story
A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.
SON: “Daddy, may I ask you a question?”
DAD: “Yeah sure, what is it?” replied the man.
SON: “Daddy, how much do you make an hour?”
DAD: “That’s none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?” the man said angrily.
SON: “I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?”
DAD: “If you must know, I make Rs.100 an hour.”
SON: “Oh,” the little boy replied, with his head down.
SON: “Daddy, may I please borrow Rs.50?”
The father was furious, “If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room.The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.
SON: “Daddy, may I ask you a question?”
DAD: “Yeah sure, what is it?” replied the man.
SON: “Daddy, how much do you make an hour?”
DAD: “That’s none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?” the man said angrily.
SON: “I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?”
DAD: “If you must know, I make Rs.100 an hour.”
SON: “Oh,” the little boy replied, with his head down.
SON: “Daddy, may I please borrow Rs.50?”
The father was furious, “If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room.The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.
'Look!' - A Short Touching Moral Real Life Story
A 24 year old boy seeing out from the train’s window shouted…
“Dad, look the trees are going behind!”
Dad smiled and a young couple sitting nearby, looked at the 24 year old’s childish behavior with pity, suddenly he again exclaimed…
“Dad, look the clouds are running with us!”
The couple couldn’t resist and said to the old man…
“Why don’t you take your son to a good doctor?”
The old man smiled and said…
“I did and we are just coming from the hospital, my son was blind from birth, he just got his eyes today.”
MORAL - Every single person on the planet has a story. Don’t judge people before you truly know them. The truth might surprise you.
“Dad, look the trees are going behind!”
Dad smiled and a young couple sitting nearby, looked at the 24 year old’s childish behavior with pity, suddenly he again exclaimed…
“Dad, look the clouds are running with us!”
The couple couldn’t resist and said to the old man…
“Why don’t you take your son to a good doctor?”
The old man smiled and said…
“I did and we are just coming from the hospital, my son was blind from birth, he just got his eyes today.”
MORAL - Every single person on the planet has a story. Don’t judge people before you truly know them. The truth might surprise you.
'I wish I did too' - A Real Life Heart Touching Story with Moral
If you love someone, Tell Them, Don’t let your heart be broken by words left unspoken.
10th Grade:
- As I sat there in English class, I stared at the girl next to me. She was my so called ‘best friend’. I stared at her long, silky hair, and wished she was mine. But she didn’t notice me like that, and I knew it. After class, she walked up to me and asked me for the notes she had missed the day before. I handed them to her.
She said ‘thanks’ and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I want to tell her, I want her to know that I don’t want to be just friends, I love her but I’m just too shy, and I don’t know why.
11th grade:
- The phone rang. On the other end, it was her. She was in tears, mumbling on and on about how her love had broke her heart. She asked me to come over because she didn’t want to be alone, So I did. As I sat next to her on the sofa, I stared at her soft eyes, wishing she was mine. After 2 hours, one Drew Barrymore movie, and three bags of chips, she decided to go home.
She looked at me, said ‘thanks’ and gave me a kiss on the cheek..I want to tell her, I want her to know that I don’t want to be just friends, I love her but I’m just too shy, and I don’t know why.
10th Grade:
- As I sat there in English class, I stared at the girl next to me. She was my so called ‘best friend’. I stared at her long, silky hair, and wished she was mine. But she didn’t notice me like that, and I knew it. After class, she walked up to me and asked me for the notes she had missed the day before. I handed them to her.
She said ‘thanks’ and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I want to tell her, I want her to know that I don’t want to be just friends, I love her but I’m just too shy, and I don’t know why.
11th grade:
- The phone rang. On the other end, it was her. She was in tears, mumbling on and on about how her love had broke her heart. She asked me to come over because she didn’t want to be alone, So I did. As I sat next to her on the sofa, I stared at her soft eyes, wishing she was mine. After 2 hours, one Drew Barrymore movie, and three bags of chips, she decided to go home.
She looked at me, said ‘thanks’ and gave me a kiss on the cheek..I want to tell her, I want her to know that I don’t want to be just friends, I love her but I’m just too shy, and I don’t know why.
'A Poor Man and his Wife' - A Heart Touching Real Life Story
One day, his wife, who had very long hair asked him to buy her a comb for her hair to grow well and to be well-groomed.
The man felt very sorry and said no. He explained that he did not even have enough money to fix the strap of his watch he had just broken. She did not insist on her request.
The man went to work and passed by a watch shop, sold his damaged watch at a low price and went to buy a comb for his wife.
He came home in the evening with the comb in his hand ready to give to his wife.
He was surprised when he saw his wife with a very short hair cut.
She had sold her hair and was holding a new watch band.
Tears flowed simultaneously from their eyes, not for the futility of their actions, but for the reciprocity of their love.
MORAL - To love is nothing, to be loved is something but to love and to be loved by the one you love,that is EVERYTHING. Never take love for granted.
The man felt very sorry and said no. He explained that he did not even have enough money to fix the strap of his watch he had just broken. She did not insist on her request.
The man went to work and passed by a watch shop, sold his damaged watch at a low price and went to buy a comb for his wife.
He came home in the evening with the comb in his hand ready to give to his wife.
He was surprised when he saw his wife with a very short hair cut.
She had sold her hair and was holding a new watch band.
Tears flowed simultaneously from their eyes, not for the futility of their actions, but for the reciprocity of their love.
MORAL - To love is nothing, to be loved is something but to love and to be loved by the one you love,that is EVERYTHING. Never take love for granted.
'Birthday Gift' - A Heart Touching Real Life Story
One Day An 11 Year Old Girl Asked Her Daddy, ”What Are You Going To Get Me For My 15th Birthday ?”
The Father Replied,”There Is Much Time Left.”
When The Girl Was 14 She Fainted And Was Rushed To The Hospital. The Doctor Came Out And Told Her Dad She Had A Bad Heart & She Is Probably Gonna Die…
When She Was Lying In The Hospital Bed, She Said “Daddy… Have They Told You I Am Going To Die ?” The Father Replied; “No You Will Live” As He Left Weeping.
She Said “How Can You Be Sure.” He Turned Around From The Door And Said”I Know.”
She Turns 15 When She Is Recovering And Comes Home To Find A Letter On Her Bed. It Says : ”My Dearest Daughter, If You Are Reading This It Means All Went Well As I Told You. One Day You Asked Me What I Was Giving You For Your 15th Birthday,
I Didn’t Know Then But Now My Present To You Is MY HEART.”
Her Father had Donated His Heart … !
‘BLESSED INDEED IS THE MAN WHO HEARS MANY GENTLE VOICES CALL HIM FATHER’
He makes Many silent Sacrifice for us ~ Love u Daddy;)
The Father Replied,”There Is Much Time Left.”
When The Girl Was 14 She Fainted And Was Rushed To The Hospital. The Doctor Came Out And Told Her Dad She Had A Bad Heart & She Is Probably Gonna Die…
When She Was Lying In The Hospital Bed, She Said “Daddy… Have They Told You I Am Going To Die ?” The Father Replied; “No You Will Live” As He Left Weeping.
She Said “How Can You Be Sure.” He Turned Around From The Door And Said”I Know.”
She Turns 15 When She Is Recovering And Comes Home To Find A Letter On Her Bed. It Says : ”My Dearest Daughter, If You Are Reading This It Means All Went Well As I Told You. One Day You Asked Me What I Was Giving You For Your 15th Birthday,
I Didn’t Know Then But Now My Present To You Is MY HEART.”
Her Father had Donated His Heart … !
‘BLESSED INDEED IS THE MAN WHO HEARS MANY GENTLE VOICES CALL HIM FATHER’
He makes Many silent Sacrifice for us ~ Love u Daddy;)
'Never judge anyone' - A Heart Touching Real Life Story with Moral
A doctor entered the hospital in hurry after being called in for an urgent surgery. He answered the call asap, changed his clothes & went directly to the surgery block.
He found the boy’s father pacing in the hall waiting for the doctor.
On seeing him, the dad yelled: “Why did you take all this time to come? Don’t you know that my son’s life is in danger? Don’t you have any sense of responsibility?”
The doctor smiled & said: “I am sorry, I wasn’t in the hospital & I came as fast as I could after receiving the call…… And now, I wish you’d calm down so that I can do my work”
He found the boy’s father pacing in the hall waiting for the doctor.
On seeing him, the dad yelled: “Why did you take all this time to come? Don’t you know that my son’s life is in danger? Don’t you have any sense of responsibility?”
The doctor smiled & said: “I am sorry, I wasn’t in the hospital & I came as fast as I could after receiving the call…… And now, I wish you’d calm down so that I can do my work”
'Slow Down and Enjoy Life' - A Real Life Moral Story
About ten years ago, a young and very successful executive named Josh was traveling down a Chicago neighborhood street. He was going a bit too fast in his sleek, black, 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE, which was only two months old.
He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.
As his car passed, no child darted out, but a brick sailed out and-WHUMP! — it smashed into the Jag’s shiny black side door! SCREECH…!!!! Brakes slammed! Gears ground into reverse, and tires madly spun the Jag back to the spot from where the brick had been thrown.
He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.
As his car passed, no child darted out, but a brick sailed out and-WHUMP! — it smashed into the Jag’s shiny black side door! SCREECH…!!!! Brakes slammed! Gears ground into reverse, and tires madly spun the Jag back to the spot from where the brick had been thrown.
'Christmas Miracle' - A Real Life Touching Story by Susan Morton Leonard
This is a real Christmas miracle story, happened in December 1997 in Wisconsin, USA.
A little girl named Sarah had leukemia and was not expected to live to see Christmas. Her brother and grandmother went to the mall to ask Mark Lenonard who was a professional Santa Claus to visit the hospital to give Sarah the gift of hope through encouragement and prayer.
A year later Sarah surprised Santa by showing up at the mall where he worked. Here goes the story.
A little girl named Sarah had leukemia and was not expected to live to see Christmas. Her brother and grandmother went to the mall to ask Mark Lenonard who was a professional Santa Claus to visit the hospital to give Sarah the gift of hope through encouragement and prayer.
A year later Sarah surprised Santa by showing up at the mall where he worked. Here goes the story.
'The Blind Boy' - A Touching Real Life Story
A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: “I am blind, please help.”
There were only a few coins in the hat.
A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.
Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were.
The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?”
There were only a few coins in the hat.
A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.
Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were.
The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?”
'One Glass of Milk' - A Touching Real Life Story by Howard Kelly
One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?” “You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.” He said, “Then I thank you from my heart.”
Thursday, February 19, 2015
'A Brother's Love' - A Touching Real Life Story of the Bond of Siblings
by Richard & Brenda Brisebois
Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in mommy's tummy he was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her.
The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of The Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee.
In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every three.. every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Would a C-section be required? finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition. With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee.
The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatrician had to tell the parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst." Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral. Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister.
Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in mommy's tummy he was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her.
The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of The Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee.
In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every three.. every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Would a C-section be required? finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition. With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee.
The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatrician had to tell the parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst." Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral. Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister.
'The Wallet' - A Touching Real Life Love Story by Rev. Mary
by Rev. Mary.
As I walked home one freezing day, I stumbled on a wallet someone had lost in the street. I picked it up and looked inside to find some identification so
I could call the owner. But the wallet contained only three dollars and a
crumpled letter that looked as if it had been in there for years.
The envelope was worn and the only thing that was legible on it was the
return address. I started to open the letter, hoping to find some clue. Then
I saw the dateline--1924. The letter had been written almost sixty years ago.
It was written in a beautiful feminine handwriting on powder blue
stationery with a little flower in the left-hand corner. It was a "Dear John"
letter that told the recipient, whose name appeared to be Michael, that the
writer could not see him any more because her mother forbade it. Even so, she
wrote that she would always love him.
It was signed, Hannah.
It was a beautiful letter, but there was no way except for the name
Michael, that the owner could be identified. Maybe if I called information,
the operator could find a phone listing for the address on the envelope.
"Operator," I began, "this is an unusual request. I'm trying to find the
owner of a wallet that I found. Is there anyway you can tell me if there is a
phone number for an address that was on an envelope in the wallet?"
As I walked home one freezing day, I stumbled on a wallet someone had lost in the street. I picked it up and looked inside to find some identification so
I could call the owner. But the wallet contained only three dollars and a
crumpled letter that looked as if it had been in there for years.
The envelope was worn and the only thing that was legible on it was the
return address. I started to open the letter, hoping to find some clue. Then
I saw the dateline--1924. The letter had been written almost sixty years ago.
It was written in a beautiful feminine handwriting on powder blue
stationery with a little flower in the left-hand corner. It was a "Dear John"
letter that told the recipient, whose name appeared to be Michael, that the
writer could not see him any more because her mother forbade it. Even so, she
wrote that she would always love him.
It was signed, Hannah.
It was a beautiful letter, but there was no way except for the name
Michael, that the owner could be identified. Maybe if I called information,
the operator could find a phone listing for the address on the envelope.
"Operator," I began, "this is an unusual request. I'm trying to find the
owner of a wallet that I found. Is there anyway you can tell me if there is a
phone number for an address that was on an envelope in the wallet?"
'Do it today!' - A Real Life Story of Regret
When I was superintendent of schools in Palo Alto, California, Polly Tyner, the president of our board of trustees, wrote a letter that was printed in the Palo Alto Times. Polly's son, Jim, had great difficulty in school. He was classified as educationally handicapped and required a great deal of patience on the part of his parents and teachers. But Jim was a happy kid with a great smile that lit up the room. His parents acknowledged his academic difficulties, but always tried to help him see his strengths so that he could walk with pride. Shortly after Jim finished high school, he was killed in a motorcycle accident. After his death, his mother submitted this letter to the newspaper.
Today we buried our 20-year-old son. He was killed instantly in a motorcycle accident on Friday night. How I wish I had known when I talked to him last that it would be the last time. If I had only known I would have said, "Jim, I love you and I'm so very proud of you."
I would have taken the time to count the many blessings he brought to the lives of the many who loved him. I would have taken time to appreciate his beautiful smile, the sound of his laughter, his genuine love of people.
When you put all the good attributes on the scale and you try to balance all the irritating traits such as the radio which was always too loud, the haircut that wasn't to our liking, the dirty socks under the bed, etc., the irritations don't amount to much.
I won't get another chance to tell my son all I would have wanted him to hear, but, other parents, you do have a chance. Tell your young people what you would want them to hear if you knew it would be your last conversation. The last time I talked to Jim was the day he died. He called me to say, "Hi, Mom! I just called to say I love you. Got to go to work. Bye." He gave me something to treasure forever.
If there is any purpose at all to Jim's death, maybe it is to make others appreciate more of life and to have people, especially families, take the time to let each other know just how much we care.
You may never have another chance. Do it today!
Today we buried our 20-year-old son. He was killed instantly in a motorcycle accident on Friday night. How I wish I had known when I talked to him last that it would be the last time. If I had only known I would have said, "Jim, I love you and I'm so very proud of you."
I would have taken the time to count the many blessings he brought to the lives of the many who loved him. I would have taken time to appreciate his beautiful smile, the sound of his laughter, his genuine love of people.
When you put all the good attributes on the scale and you try to balance all the irritating traits such as the radio which was always too loud, the haircut that wasn't to our liking, the dirty socks under the bed, etc., the irritations don't amount to much.
I won't get another chance to tell my son all I would have wanted him to hear, but, other parents, you do have a chance. Tell your young people what you would want them to hear if you knew it would be your last conversation. The last time I talked to Jim was the day he died. He called me to say, "Hi, Mom! I just called to say I love you. Got to go to work. Bye." He gave me something to treasure forever.
If there is any purpose at all to Jim's death, maybe it is to make others appreciate more of life and to have people, especially families, take the time to let each other know just how much we care.
You may never have another chance. Do it today!
'Rescuing Hug' - A Touching Real Life Story of Twins
This is a picture from an article called "The Rescuing Hug". The article details the first week of life of a set of twins, Kyrie (red dot) and Brielle (blue dot).
Apparently, each were in their respective incubators, and one was not expected to live. A hospital nurse fought against the hospital rules and placed the babies in one incubator. When they were placed together, the healthier of the two threw an arm over her sister in an endearing embrace. The smaller baby's heart rate stabilized and her temperature rose to normal.
They both survived, and are thriving, in fact, the two girls went home to share a crib, and still snuggle. The twins are happy kindergartners now. The hospital changed their policy after they saw the effect of putting the two girls together, and now they bed multiples together.
Let us not forget to embrace those whom we love and never underestimate the power of a hug!
An Amazing True Love Story by Rob Reid
The brand new pastor and his wife, newly assigned to their first ministry, to reopen a church in urban Brooklyn, arrived in early October excited about their opportunities. When they saw their church, it was very run down and needed much work.
They set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve. They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, etc. and on Dec. 18 were ahead of schedule and just about finished.
On December 19 a terrible tempest - a driving rainstorm hit the area and lasted for two days. On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church. His heart sunk when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 6 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high. The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, headed home.
On the way he noticed that a local business was having a flea market type sale for charity so he stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful, hand-made, ivory colored, crochet tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross-embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover up the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church.
They set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve. They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, etc. and on Dec. 18 were ahead of schedule and just about finished.
On December 19 a terrible tempest - a driving rainstorm hit the area and lasted for two days. On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church. His heart sunk when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 6 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high. The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, headed home.
On the way he noticed that a local business was having a flea market type sale for charity so he stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful, hand-made, ivory colored, crochet tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross-embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover up the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church.
Real Life Insurance Stories: 'Now we have money for retirement!' - Ted H., Baltimore
Thank God we never needed it. Now we have money for retirement!
Thirty two years later and I am as ornery as the day I married Linda. Linda and I were on the internet looking for information on annuities and came across your site. I read your stories and wanted to tell ours.
I bought a permanent policy 32 years ago because I loved my wife and if I died, I wanted to ensure she and my family could continue having the same level of living. Now if I didn't die, we would have enough money for retirement. HA! HA! HA! I beat the odds and out lived the need for life insurance as my family has all grown up and moved away. I get the cash! I am sure I will die some day, but until then, I do know I have enough money for Linda and I to last a life time.
Ted H. - Baltimore
Thirty two years later and I am as ornery as the day I married Linda. Linda and I were on the internet looking for information on annuities and came across your site. I read your stories and wanted to tell ours.
I bought a permanent policy 32 years ago because I loved my wife and if I died, I wanted to ensure she and my family could continue having the same level of living. Now if I didn't die, we would have enough money for retirement. HA! HA! HA! I beat the odds and out lived the need for life insurance as my family has all grown up and moved away. I get the cash! I am sure I will die some day, but until then, I do know I have enough money for Linda and I to last a life time.
Ted H. - Baltimore
Real Life Insurance Stories: 'You're never too young for Life Insurance!' - Kim K., Ohio
You’re never too young for Life Insurance!
Some of your stories brought back so many painful memories, I felt it important to share how one day I insured all my kids and never asked the price.
Back in 1979, Mark, the son of a very close friend of mind was put to rest. Mark was only 14 years old when he was taken from us.
For the first 8 years of Mark's life, he was as healthy and normal as any 8 year old kid. At the age of 9, Mark started having bad stomach cramps and started losing lots of weight. After many months of tests and hospitalizations, Mark was diagnosed as having Crohns disease. It took 4 years, three major surgeries, lots of horrible health food, and a colostomy to finally get Mark's life back on track.
Everything was going great for Mark, that was until a year later at the age of 14, when Mark started having sores and other immune issues. It turns out that he had received the HIV Virus from a blood transfusion during one of his surgeries.
Unfortunately Mark died within the year.
Now you can imagine the funeral cost, doctor bills from the original surgeries and now the HIV costs that followed. Our friends did have medical insurance through work, but let me just say, their life time cap was reached quickly. The unfortunate part is they had plenty of insurance on the parents, but none on the kids.
Kim K., Ohio
Some of your stories brought back so many painful memories, I felt it important to share how one day I insured all my kids and never asked the price.
Back in 1979, Mark, the son of a very close friend of mind was put to rest. Mark was only 14 years old when he was taken from us.
For the first 8 years of Mark's life, he was as healthy and normal as any 8 year old kid. At the age of 9, Mark started having bad stomach cramps and started losing lots of weight. After many months of tests and hospitalizations, Mark was diagnosed as having Crohns disease. It took 4 years, three major surgeries, lots of horrible health food, and a colostomy to finally get Mark's life back on track.
Everything was going great for Mark, that was until a year later at the age of 14, when Mark started having sores and other immune issues. It turns out that he had received the HIV Virus from a blood transfusion during one of his surgeries.
Unfortunately Mark died within the year.
Now you can imagine the funeral cost, doctor bills from the original surgeries and now the HIV costs that followed. Our friends did have medical insurance through work, but let me just say, their life time cap was reached quickly. The unfortunate part is they had plenty of insurance on the parents, but none on the kids.
Kim K., Ohio
Real Life Insurance Stories: 'Divorce is hard enough!' - Vicky in Arizona
Divorce is hard enough!
When I was divorced ten years ago, I never really understood the reason why the judge and my life sales person recommended that I get a life policy on my ex-husband and that I should be the owner.
Now today it is all too clear! First of all, knowing my ex-husband, if I was the beneficiary and he was the owner of the policy, I would get nothing. That is because if he stopped paying the premium, I would never have been notified and my kids and I would have been at risk of getting nothing when the policy expired for nonpayment.
Now, since I am the owner of the policy, I am responsible for the payment of the policy even though he was required by the judge to make the payments. And you know what? About four years ago, he did stop paying the life premium. I was notified of nonpayment and had the chance to immediately make the payments to bring the policy current. Thank God I did. He died three months from that day. My family and I now have all the child support we need and a bright future. I am sharing this story because someone did a good deed for me and I want to pass it on.
Vicky in Arizona
When I was divorced ten years ago, I never really understood the reason why the judge and my life sales person recommended that I get a life policy on my ex-husband and that I should be the owner.
Now today it is all too clear! First of all, knowing my ex-husband, if I was the beneficiary and he was the owner of the policy, I would get nothing. That is because if he stopped paying the premium, I would never have been notified and my kids and I would have been at risk of getting nothing when the policy expired for nonpayment.
Now, since I am the owner of the policy, I am responsible for the payment of the policy even though he was required by the judge to make the payments. And you know what? About four years ago, he did stop paying the life premium. I was notified of nonpayment and had the chance to immediately make the payments to bring the policy current. Thank God I did. He died three months from that day. My family and I now have all the child support we need and a bright future. I am sharing this story because someone did a good deed for me and I want to pass it on.
Vicky in Arizona
Real Life Insurance Stories: 'My husband is dead'
Unemployed and, Interviewing, we had no life insurance in the meantime.
My husband is dead!
Tim was such as wonderful father and friend. He got up so early every morning and commuted so far to give his family a great life. He was so compassionate and would help anyone. We will miss him dearly, but we know he is in heaven looking down on us.
Tim and I sat down two years ago with a life insurance agent and they clearly educated us on life insurance and the different types of policies available. They did a thorough needs analysis and then made some recommendations. There is one eye opener that I remember to this day! Tim was making about $250,000 a year and had two times his salary in Life Insurance provided by his employer. Sounds Great! Wrong! Our life insurance agent explained that his insurance at work should only be considered as icing on the cake and to manage our life insurance policies outside work. The reason was, if he was laid off, his insurance would cease in most cases. Not to mention he would be much older or he could have developed a condition that would make him uninsurable. GET THE POINT!
This was the grace in saving my family today. It turns out Tim was laid off from his company and was driving into Chicago for an interview when he was killed in a fatal multi-car accident. Without the knowledge and insight of the life insurance agent, what we thought was adequate coverage would have left my family and I homeless considering Tim lost his life insurance benefits when he was laid off.
There aren't many nights that go by that I do not thank God for bringing the life insurance agent into our lives. It’s almost two years later and we are still getting over the death, but the three of us have enough money to handle any challenge that comes our way.
Terri O., Chicago
P.S. Much applause to you guys for making these experiences available to others.
My husband is dead!
Tim was such as wonderful father and friend. He got up so early every morning and commuted so far to give his family a great life. He was so compassionate and would help anyone. We will miss him dearly, but we know he is in heaven looking down on us.
Tim and I sat down two years ago with a life insurance agent and they clearly educated us on life insurance and the different types of policies available. They did a thorough needs analysis and then made some recommendations. There is one eye opener that I remember to this day! Tim was making about $250,000 a year and had two times his salary in Life Insurance provided by his employer. Sounds Great! Wrong! Our life insurance agent explained that his insurance at work should only be considered as icing on the cake and to manage our life insurance policies outside work. The reason was, if he was laid off, his insurance would cease in most cases. Not to mention he would be much older or he could have developed a condition that would make him uninsurable. GET THE POINT!
This was the grace in saving my family today. It turns out Tim was laid off from his company and was driving into Chicago for an interview when he was killed in a fatal multi-car accident. Without the knowledge and insight of the life insurance agent, what we thought was adequate coverage would have left my family and I homeless considering Tim lost his life insurance benefits when he was laid off.
There aren't many nights that go by that I do not thank God for bringing the life insurance agent into our lives. It’s almost two years later and we are still getting over the death, but the three of us have enough money to handle any challenge that comes our way.
Terri O., Chicago
P.S. Much applause to you guys for making these experiences available to others.
Loving, Leaving Las Vegas - Las Vegas Valley Couple
LOVING, LEAVING LAS VEGAS
The first time Pete and Marty Walsh drove through Nevada, they were not impressed.
“We had a Rand McNally road atlas we were using to navigate around the country,” Marty said. “We made little notes about the places on it. On the Nevada page, there was just one big word, ‘UGH!’ across the whole page.”
The pair had driven across the state on U.S. Highway 50, dubbed “the loneliest road in America” in a Life magazine article.
“At the time, I just saw it as barren and empty,” Pete said. “I grew up in Ireland, and all the mountains there are green and covered with life. After being here a few years, I saw those mountains with different eyes. I’d say now that ‘naked and raw’ is a better way of saying it. You can see billions of years of history on those mountains, and then you’ve got Vegas, where everything is new below them.”
Before moving to Las Vegas in 1999, the Walshes hadn’t lived anywhere for more than a few years. They longed to see places they hadn’t been. When they arrived here, they ended up setting down the deepest roots they had ever had, buying a home, setting up the Trifecta Gallery downtown and helping transform the 18b Arts District.
Now, they’re pulling up stakes again and heading back to the country farmland where Pete’s family has lived for generations.
“We’ve said every year, ‘Is this the year we go back?’ and it never was,” Pete said. “This year, we thought, if we don’t do it now, we might never, so we’re going there, and we’re building our little dream house.”
The couple met on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, where Marty had moved to start a deli with a friend while Pete way plying his skills as a carpenter.
“We met at a restaurant and went on a date the next night,” Marty said. “I was very impressed that he was such a gentleman.”
Both thought of it as a summer romance, but when Pete was called back home to Ireland because of an illness in the family, he couldn’t stop thinking about Marty.
“They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I guess that’s the case,” Pete said. “Maybe we wouldn’t have stayed together if I hadn’t gone home, but when I came back, we got pretty serious.”
The couple married on Chappaquiddick Island in Massachusetts and lived on Martha’s Vineyard for eight years, with side trips to visit other places, including the long road trip that took them through Nevada the first time.
“We did a trip around the states in a Volkswagen bus,” Pete said. “We went 22,000 miles and went through 46 states in a hippie van.”
Their trips often led to places they didn’t expect. After spending the holidays with Marty’s parents in Louisville, Ky., they headed south to spend the winter somewhere warm.
“We were thinking St. Thomas or the Virgin Islands — someplace like that,” Pete said. “We stopped at a youth hostel in Georgia and ended up running the place.”
The hostel was managed by the owner’s son, who was called to the Peace Corps about the time the Walshes showed up. They were hired to manage the place and lived that winter in a treehouse on 90 acres of Georgia forest.
Pete and Marty came to Las Vegas to get in on the building boom, but Marty’s art and gallery soon became the center of the couple’s lives. Pete helped Marty renovate the gallery, and they ran it together, with Marty as the public face, choosing art, nurturing artists and bringing in notable speakers, while Pete quietly held things together in the background.
The Walshes have at least a few more months to work things out as they trim their belongings, say their farewells and prepare to head back across the ocean. They’ll keep in touch with their friends in Las Vegas and keep an eye on the local art scene.
Marty believes the local art scene is poised to move on to its next evolution. She feels that Pete’s description of the Nevada landscape is an apt one of what they’re leaving behind.
“Naked and raw — that’s a good way of putting it,” she said. “I think that’s kind of a metaphor for the whole state and the arts district. It’s open and exposed and ready to grow.”
— F. Andrew Taylor, East Valley View staff writer
The first time Pete and Marty Walsh drove through Nevada, they were not impressed.
“We had a Rand McNally road atlas we were using to navigate around the country,” Marty said. “We made little notes about the places on it. On the Nevada page, there was just one big word, ‘UGH!’ across the whole page.”
The pair had driven across the state on U.S. Highway 50, dubbed “the loneliest road in America” in a Life magazine article.
“At the time, I just saw it as barren and empty,” Pete said. “I grew up in Ireland, and all the mountains there are green and covered with life. After being here a few years, I saw those mountains with different eyes. I’d say now that ‘naked and raw’ is a better way of saying it. You can see billions of years of history on those mountains, and then you’ve got Vegas, where everything is new below them.”
Before moving to Las Vegas in 1999, the Walshes hadn’t lived anywhere for more than a few years. They longed to see places they hadn’t been. When they arrived here, they ended up setting down the deepest roots they had ever had, buying a home, setting up the Trifecta Gallery downtown and helping transform the 18b Arts District.
Now, they’re pulling up stakes again and heading back to the country farmland where Pete’s family has lived for generations.
“We’ve said every year, ‘Is this the year we go back?’ and it never was,” Pete said. “This year, we thought, if we don’t do it now, we might never, so we’re going there, and we’re building our little dream house.”
The couple met on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, where Marty had moved to start a deli with a friend while Pete way plying his skills as a carpenter.
“We met at a restaurant and went on a date the next night,” Marty said. “I was very impressed that he was such a gentleman.”
Both thought of it as a summer romance, but when Pete was called back home to Ireland because of an illness in the family, he couldn’t stop thinking about Marty.
“They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I guess that’s the case,” Pete said. “Maybe we wouldn’t have stayed together if I hadn’t gone home, but when I came back, we got pretty serious.”
The couple married on Chappaquiddick Island in Massachusetts and lived on Martha’s Vineyard for eight years, with side trips to visit other places, including the long road trip that took them through Nevada the first time.
“We did a trip around the states in a Volkswagen bus,” Pete said. “We went 22,000 miles and went through 46 states in a hippie van.”
Their trips often led to places they didn’t expect. After spending the holidays with Marty’s parents in Louisville, Ky., they headed south to spend the winter somewhere warm.
“We were thinking St. Thomas or the Virgin Islands — someplace like that,” Pete said. “We stopped at a youth hostel in Georgia and ended up running the place.”
The hostel was managed by the owner’s son, who was called to the Peace Corps about the time the Walshes showed up. They were hired to manage the place and lived that winter in a treehouse on 90 acres of Georgia forest.
Pete and Marty came to Las Vegas to get in on the building boom, but Marty’s art and gallery soon became the center of the couple’s lives. Pete helped Marty renovate the gallery, and they ran it together, with Marty as the public face, choosing art, nurturing artists and bringing in notable speakers, while Pete quietly held things together in the background.
The Walshes have at least a few more months to work things out as they trim their belongings, say their farewells and prepare to head back across the ocean. They’ll keep in touch with their friends in Las Vegas and keep an eye on the local art scene.
Marty believes the local art scene is poised to move on to its next evolution. She feels that Pete’s description of the Nevada landscape is an apt one of what they’re leaving behind.
“Naked and raw — that’s a good way of putting it,” she said. “I think that’s kind of a metaphor for the whole state and the arts district. It’s open and exposed and ready to grow.”
— F. Andrew Taylor, East Valley View staff writer
Marriage Strengthened By Troubles - Las Vegas Valley Couple
MARRIAGE STRENGTHENED BY troubles
When Henderson couple Eddie and Antoinette Garcia married 13 years ago, they became husband and wife. However, when Eddie’s limbs were amputated because of an illness, the couple not only re-learned their roles as husband and wife, they also became a man with no hands or feet and a caretaker.
Although they consider each challenge temporary, it’s clear their love is permanent.
“In the beginning, it was very hard,” Antoinette said. “He would get upset, or I would get upset, and I would be like, ‘You know what? We have to remember that this is temporary. Everything is temporary. You’re going to learn how to do this. We’re going to learn how to do this.’ ”
The couple’s love story began as acquaintances in elementary school when Antoinette’s mother would take her, Eddie and his brother to school. It wasn’t until high school that a friendship developed, and they began attending school games, going out to eat and talking on the phone together.
“I still remember my mom knocking on the door at 3 a.m. telling me to cut it off, so we had to sneak the phone calls late at night,” Eddie said. “We just continued our friendship, and we talked about anything and everything or sometimes nothing at all.”
After a few years of “officially dating,” Antoinette went shopping, put down a deposit on an engagement ring and called Eddie, who was home watching a football game.
When Henderson couple Eddie and Antoinette Garcia married 13 years ago, they became husband and wife. However, when Eddie’s limbs were amputated because of an illness, the couple not only re-learned their roles as husband and wife, they also became a man with no hands or feet and a caretaker.
Although they consider each challenge temporary, it’s clear their love is permanent.
“In the beginning, it was very hard,” Antoinette said. “He would get upset, or I would get upset, and I would be like, ‘You know what? We have to remember that this is temporary. Everything is temporary. You’re going to learn how to do this. We’re going to learn how to do this.’ ”
The couple’s love story began as acquaintances in elementary school when Antoinette’s mother would take her, Eddie and his brother to school. It wasn’t until high school that a friendship developed, and they began attending school games, going out to eat and talking on the phone together.
“I still remember my mom knocking on the door at 3 a.m. telling me to cut it off, so we had to sneak the phone calls late at night,” Eddie said. “We just continued our friendship, and we talked about anything and everything or sometimes nothing at all.”
After a few years of “officially dating,” Antoinette went shopping, put down a deposit on an engagement ring and called Eddie, who was home watching a football game.
Partners In Business, Life - Las Vegas Valley Couple
PARTNERS IN BUSINESS, LIFE
Love stories often have the same narrative: Two people meet, fall in love, do crazy and romantic things together and get married. It often ends there or will fast-forward to the future with the couple raising happy children and staring into each other’s eyes as if they were on their first date.
The reality of marriage is far from a Hollywood plot, but it can be just as beautiful.
Dina Proto and Dina “Dom” Poist-Proto are the faces behind Teazled, an LGBT greeting card company. They came up with their business after witnessing their children struggle to find the right card for their two-mother household. While their business is now blooming, their marriage wasn’t always easy.
The couple met 10 years ago while working as nurses at a local hospice. Dina was married with children, and Dom was in an eight-year relationship with her then-fiance.
“We became friends first, but then I don’t know what came over me,” Dom said. “We were standing at a nurses station, and I just looked at her, and I said, ‘Have you ever thought about being with another woman?’ She looked up and said, ‘No!’ and put her head down. That was the turning point of our friendship.”
Despite Dina’s answer, the couple knew they had something beyond friendship. Shortly after becoming friends, Dina divorced for the second time, and Dom filed for divorce three months after being married.
Love stories often have the same narrative: Two people meet, fall in love, do crazy and romantic things together and get married. It often ends there or will fast-forward to the future with the couple raising happy children and staring into each other’s eyes as if they were on their first date.
The reality of marriage is far from a Hollywood plot, but it can be just as beautiful.
Dina Proto and Dina “Dom” Poist-Proto are the faces behind Teazled, an LGBT greeting card company. They came up with their business after witnessing their children struggle to find the right card for their two-mother household. While their business is now blooming, their marriage wasn’t always easy.
The couple met 10 years ago while working as nurses at a local hospice. Dina was married with children, and Dom was in an eight-year relationship with her then-fiance.
“We became friends first, but then I don’t know what came over me,” Dom said. “We were standing at a nurses station, and I just looked at her, and I said, ‘Have you ever thought about being with another woman?’ She looked up and said, ‘No!’ and put her head down. That was the turning point of our friendship.”
Despite Dina’s answer, the couple knew they had something beyond friendship. Shortly after becoming friends, Dina divorced for the second time, and Dom filed for divorce three months after being married.
'Don't Say A Word' - Las Vegas Valley Couple
‘DON’T SAY A WORD’
Love is in the air. It’s always been in the air for Sun City Summerlin couple Andy and Lee Lawson, ever since the day they met as high school seniors in Arizona.
Andy and Lee attended the same high school in Tucson, but it was so large — 5,600 students — that they didn’t meet until their final year when both were in the senior class show. They started talking during rehearsals, and a spark was instantly struck. At one point, Lee went outside and hopped up on a table. That’s when Andy strode straight up to her and kissed her. It wasn’t a quick little peck.
“It was really special, like, ‘wow,’ ” Lee said. “I never forgot that kiss.”
They wanted to date, but Lee’s father was strict and said only a Jewish boy would do.
Andy was not Jewish.
After graduation, Lee went to Rochester, N.Y., to visit family. She found a job, and Andy followed, hoping to date her. But Lee’s family’s influence was strong. She said she couldn’t date him, so they went their separate ways.
She met a nice Jewish man, married and raised a family. But those moments with Andy still lingered in her mind. Years later, she attended her 20-year high school reunion.
“I (saw) Andy for about 45 seconds,” Lee said. “He started to walk toward me, and he said, ‘Just tell me …’ and his wife walked in the room.”
Love is in the air. It’s always been in the air for Sun City Summerlin couple Andy and Lee Lawson, ever since the day they met as high school seniors in Arizona.
Andy and Lee attended the same high school in Tucson, but it was so large — 5,600 students — that they didn’t meet until their final year when both were in the senior class show. They started talking during rehearsals, and a spark was instantly struck. At one point, Lee went outside and hopped up on a table. That’s when Andy strode straight up to her and kissed her. It wasn’t a quick little peck.
“It was really special, like, ‘wow,’ ” Lee said. “I never forgot that kiss.”
They wanted to date, but Lee’s father was strict and said only a Jewish boy would do.
Andy was not Jewish.
After graduation, Lee went to Rochester, N.Y., to visit family. She found a job, and Andy followed, hoping to date her. But Lee’s family’s influence was strong. She said she couldn’t date him, so they went their separate ways.
She met a nice Jewish man, married and raised a family. But those moments with Andy still lingered in her mind. Years later, she attended her 20-year high school reunion.
“I (saw) Andy for about 45 seconds,” Lee said. “He started to walk toward me, and he said, ‘Just tell me …’ and his wife walked in the room.”
Joe Tremba's Real Life Story of Identity Theft
Eighteen months after moving in with his fiancée, Joe Tremba received a collection letter about a past due credit card account that had been assigned to a collection agency.
“I was confused,” said Tremba, who always pays his bills on time. “I have only one credit card—an American Express card that I pay in full every month. The letter referred to a Visa card with a $5,000 balance.”
Tremba immediately called both the collection agency and the original creditor. After hours of detective work, Tremba discovered that an identity thief forged a credit card application sent to Tremba at his previous address.
Tremba explained the situation to the collection company as well as the Visa card representatives. Trouble was, the creditors had no way of knowing whether Tremba was telling the truth.
Twelve months later, Tremba still answers calls from creditors trying to collect the debt. Though Tremba wants to buy a house, the collection account wreaked havoc on his credit score. He wonders whether he should keep fighting to have the collection account removed from his credit report; sometimes he thinks he should pay the entire $5,000 bill and be done with it. Either way, he knows he must delay the purchase of a home for his new family because his credit score is too low to receive the best interest rates.
“I have heard of this sort of thing happening to other people, so I have always been careful,” said Tremba. “I check my credit card and bank statements thoroughly. I don’t know how I could have prevented this.”
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