Hauntings

We watched a mediocre movie this weekend:  The Woman In Black.  We selected it because we are fond of its main actor, Daniel Radcliffe, for his work in the Harry Potter movies.  Although The Woman In Black was a rather predictable mystery/drama/mild horror film, it was refreshing to see a movie that relied more on suspense than on gore. It was a tiny bit spooky in spots, darkly filmed.  The props department must have thoroughly enjoyed finding and placing all manner of creepy objects on set:  weird dolls and taxidermied monkeys and noisy turn-of-the-century toys abounded.

Without revealing too many spoilers, we'd like to mull over one aspect of the story:  the idea of a spirit haunting a place or a person.  The spirit in The Woman In Black was vengeful; why are spirits so often so?  Is it an assumption that the dead cling to this world, rather than moving on into the next, because of anger, hatred, or a desire for revenge?  Even in movies in which unfinished business is the reason for the spirit's presence -- the spirit wants to ensure that some act is accomplished (see, for example, The Sixth Sense) -- there are frequently undertones of justice or vengeance, and of hostility towards the living.

Is it because we do not know -- and we do fear -- what happens when we pass from this life?  Is it because we would like reassurance that we will still be able to control our destinies and resolve matters in the event that we die before our business in this realm is finished?  Is it because we worry that we will eventually be punished for our mistakes or our cruelties, or worse yet, be subjected to someone else's venom or persecution despite our being blameless?

Offspring the Third had an interesting comment:  he stated that he would haunt the house in order to clean it for Herself.  That was an endearingly thoughtful sentiment.  Herself let him know he did not have to stay as a spirit, but could go beyond to whatever awaited him. She hopes he does.

What would Herself do, if she somehow had a choice between remaining in this world as a spirit, or moving onward?  On the one hand, it would be frustrating and possibly heartbreaking to stay: she would be unable to help those she loves in the manners in which she has been accustomed, and her presence might be frightening, rather than reassuring or comforting.  On the other hand, it would be difficult to leave those she loves behind.

Or would it?  Herself is reminded of an episode from one of her favorite television series, Kung Fu:

Before we wake, we cannot know that what we dreamed does not exist. Before we die, we cannot know that death is not the greatest joy. - Caine

We do not know. We cannot know.

Perhaps (as Herself thinks is most likely) after we pass, our contact with the living will be limited to the written words that we leave behind. She thinks it may be time to review her letters to her loved ones that she keeps with her will.  Do the letters include enough? Will they bring solace? Will they remind her loved ones of the places they have held in her heart? Will the letters encourage them to live their own lives to the fullest, and to not be afraid to embrace love and heartbreak and adventure and all the thousand mysteries of life? Are they already learning -- have they already learned -- to do so?  

She hopes.  

In the face of such uncertainty, the best we can do is to work hard to love, to enjoy, to understand and to forgive while we are here in this realm.  If we live at peace in this world, we may ultimately also rest at peace in the next. 

Picture copyright 2012, 2013 Mediocria Firma. Used with gratitude.