Real or Not?

Growing up as a child I was afraid of the dark. I would remember waiting for everyone to fall asleep so that I could sneak up and turn on a light. That act alone caused me a lot of trouble growing up. Even forced me to receive an electric shock one night. I remember sneaking into the kitchen and finding a lamp. I must have been around the age of ten at this time. I didn't want to turn on the main kitchen light because it would wake someone for sure. I found a lamp on the washing machine and discovered that it wasn't plugged in. A tip for anyone reading, don't try to plug in a lamp when it is pitch black! I did in fact shock myself and don't remember for sure, but I think I gave up on the lamp or source of light for that given night.

I was not always afraid of the dark. I remember finding comfort in light of course at night, but nothing too serious. My uncle Henry used to live with us on a street over by Winco. I don't remember but three or four memories from this time because again I was probably only 4 years old. At night, when I was supposed to be asleep in the darkness, I would hide under my blankets. At this time in my life I never had any experiences that would have caused me to be afraid of the dark, I think it was just the natural instinct? I would hide my face under the blankets and wait for the space heater to kick on, which gave off light, then retreat back under the covers when it shut off. This would repeat itself until I must have fallen asleep each night. One night I remember the heater kicking on and I removed my hidden face from under the covers. Well, the space heater then shut off and I couldn't find the edge of the blanket! This of course enable me to hide under the covers correctly. I was scared, but not enough to scream from the panic I was experiencing. I then felt something on my hand as if someone had laid their hand softly upon mine. I glance over to the left into the pure darkness of the room and next thing I knew it was morning. I must have blocked out anything that happened after that, or my guess is that I simply fainted? After pondering this event throughout my life, I have come to the conclusion that the blanket itself was what probably fell upon my hand ever so softly! I imagine during the course of shuffling to find the edge of the blanket that I caused the blanket to lift and hover enough to slowly fall upon my hand. This was my first memory of something happening to me in the dark. Not too bad, and probably my own fault.

This next memory wasn't my imagination. Since this particular night I was probably never the same again. I am still haunted by this nights events. I have sleep paralysis and other such sleeping disorders to this time, which I can only imagine stem from this night. We lived in a trailer court on the outskirts of town. My uncle Henry must have lived with us again for a short time or we simply had possession of his water bed. Anyway, I wasn't able to sleep in my own room because he was claiming back his water bed, because he was moving out. Thus my room didn't have a bed or must have stunk a little from moving his bed? I can't remember. Either way I was forced to sleep in my parent's room with my mom. My dad was at work and I was alone in the trailer with my mom. My mom and dad must have been on different work schedules which caused one of them if not both to sleep during the day. The importance of that little fact is important because in my mom's room there was cardboard or something blocking any outside light, so that they could sleep during the day. Of course it is night time at this juncture, but any light that invaded the darkness in my room wasn't going to be able to penetrate into my mom's room. Until this night, I really don't remember being afraid of the dark at all. Sure the memory above might indicate otherwise, but like I said it was simply instinct. Until this night any fear that I might have had was not warranted. After this night, needing a light on during the night became an addiction.

I remember being asleep in the same bed as my mom on this night. I was probably five years old. I awoke in the middle of the night and I was facing the same way my mom was. I remember turning over so that I was facing the other side of the bed. I was facing the closet as well, and of course there was room in between the bed and the closet. I opened my eyes in the darkness and saw a man standing on the side of the bed! It was pitch black why was I able to see a man in the room standing beside the bed? He was looking down upon me and I of course started screaming. It wasn't in the movies as if he was a ghost or anything like that, but he did have the faintest glow. Nothing that illuminated the room or anything around his being. It was as if the features of him as a person had the glow. This glow was seen only enough to see him in the pitch black. My screaming of course rips my mom from her sleep. I can't imagine her sense of despair/panic? I remember her picking me up off the bed and carrying me with her to turn the light on. The worst part about this is that the light and door to the room are located on the side of the bed that the man is on. Thus he would be able to intercept us on our way to the door. My mom picks me up in a way that I am able to see behind her over her left shoulder. She is rushing to the door and rounds the corner of the bed when I notice that the man is now behind us on the opposite side of the room! He is now following us and I am forced to stare at him as my mom runs to the door of the room. She flips the light on to hopefully find out what is forcing me to scream in such a way. The man who was right on her heels in the darkness disappeared as soon as the light was turned on! To this day my mom says that she never saw anything that night!
This might make one to believe that it was just a dream that I had, or simply an overactive imagination of a young boy. In a couple or one more story about nightmares, I will hopefully prove why this isn't true. I will prove why it was a real occurrence and not just a figment of my imagination!

Come and Gone

Brandon and his wife Toni were able to visit us while he was on short break from a tour in Iraq. He has to go back for at least 4 more months. It was the first time that we were able to meet his beautiful and charming wife Toni. It was also the first time that he has been able to see Triton. Toni was a riot, she has a great sense of humor. She is a nosey parker though! She has terrific hearing and uses it to her advantage. She was able to understand my sense of humor and wasn't too offended? If she was she didn't let me know, she probably let Brandon have it after they departed? If I offended you in any way Toni, I am sorry. It is kind of weird how different they are from each other. I feel that she is kind of outgoing where Brandon is quiet. I guess that Sheri and I are different in many ways as well, so that is probably what holds us together. Hopefully that will also be an advantage for Brandon and Toni as well. I mean who would want to marry themselves?

Brandon loved Triton as I knew he would and Triton warmed up to Brandon much quicker than I thought. As you can see in the pictures there is no sort of hesitation by Triton to let Brandon hug and be around him. This was just after two days of being around him too. There are still people who Triton doesn't like to be around after seeing them since birth, so I was grateful that he let Brandon in. Brandon is he type of person who might take if to heart if Triton didn't like him. So, thank you Triton for realizing that Brandon is a good guy.

We can all be grateful for Brandon for what he has done for his country. He has served what will be close to 3 years overseas protecting our country. He has served in tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Thank you so much Brandon for not only being an example to everyone, but for also being a friend as well as a cousin.

Brandon is a bit discouraged that the Goodwin side of the family is so distant from each other. Grandma Goodwin had three children all boys. My father (Chris) Brandon's father (Paul) and Phil. Phil and grandma had a falling out many years ago and haven't spoken forever. Paul lives in Utah and only visits from time to time, but isn't as estranged as Phil. Until recently I haven't been the greatest of grandchildren, because before Triton was born I would only visit grandma on the odd chance that Brandon had leave from the Marines. I am still no great grandson as of now, but Triton and I have visited her more and more.

On this visit there was family drama, nothing too serious, but there were things that hurt Brandon while he was here. Uncle Phil and Paul were in a little drunken skirmish, but were able to makeup. I would like to think that I was a little bit of a remedy in that battle. After playing pool/darts at a local bar the booze must have gotten to them and there was an argument. They were toe to toe when I made the remark that they were being foolish for doing this while Brandon was here. Everyone was taken home by Toni and myself, since we were the only one's who weren't drinking, and everything was fine at the barbecue the following day. I am not sure if my remark helped in defusing the situation, but I would like to think that it helped. However
my remark might have caused Brandon to be saddened, because he told my dad and I afterward that he hates how the family only comes together when he is here.
He hates that Phil and Grandma never talk and probably won't resolve their pent up issues. Grandma wasn't at the barbecue simply because Phil was there (I guess)? Phil did show up and for that I am proud of him. Even though they are on their separate paths that might never cross again, he swallowed any pride, aggression or anger for Brandon. He was the bigger person on this day. It is sad that we make Brandon feel this way, but we were much closer this time than I believe we ever have been. Both Brandon and my dad are grateful that Triton and I visit grandma from time to time. I feel bad that I haven't visited her in the past, but I am very glad that she is able to see her great grandchild. We all wish that uncle Phil and grandma would have a talk, but even if that never happens I will never look down upon either of them. I love them both and wish them happiness throughout the remainder of their lives. As long as they are going
to be okay with the conclusion of the way things are after this life then what does it matter?
It was so mice to meet you Toni. Keep Brandon happy and stay on his rear end about stopping the smoking. Brandon stay safe and don't try to be a hero over there unless the situation calls for it. You might get shot in the buttocks like Forrest Gump if you try to save everyone! I love you Brandon. You know that you are more like a brother to me than a cousin.