How crazy am I? My sister is fading away and I think I can save her.
By anawar
@anawar (2404)
United States
July 23, 2008 4:54pm CST
When I work at my laptop, I face an oil painting of my siblings that's forty six years old. My two older brothers are standing behind me. I'm in front on the left and my sister is in the middle, with my baby brother sitting next to her.
My sister died in 1983, when she was only 30 years old.
In the painting, we all look fine, except for my sister. The paint on her arm and face is fading away. I try to pretend it's my imagination, or a trick of light. I compare our skin at different times of the day and night, thinking maybe the light hits the picture and changes things.
It's no trick of light. My sister is fading away. Here's the crazy part. I wrote a story revolving around my sister a few years ago. Every few months I pull it up and make some changes to the story. I keep thinking if I publish the story, maybe I can stop her from fading away.
It's almost like clapping to make Tinkerbell real, except it's not funny.
Is this a paranormal phenomenon or do I just have an overactive imagination? Tell me the truth.
What do you think? Do you have any stories like mine?
Please help me before the men in the white coats come and carry me away.! (only kidding)
5 people like this
11 responses
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
23 Jul 08
It's definitely only Your Sister's image in this painting that's being affected like this? There's no environmental changes happening where this painting is that could cause it? Is anyone else around likely to be mishandling the painting? An interesting phenomenon..Why don't you finish the book to see what happens?
2 people like this
@anawar (2404)
• United States
24 Jul 08
No, it's really happening. Other people notice it as well. No one touches the portrait.
Thanks for your words about it being an interesting phenomenon and not discounting my perceptions.
I guess the story is finished, if I would leave it alone. It's posted on a website for creative stories and more than 400 people have read it and been moved by it. But, that's contained within one website.
I want the story to get out there! I have no idea how to publish it, it's too short for a book, but too long for an internet publisher. I think.
I want the story to find the right home and I'm hoping an internet link will pop up or someone will have ideas like SomeCowgirl, that will lead me to a satisfying conclusion.
Not to mention, all the tension of not doing anything!
2 people like this
@whittby (3072)
• United States
24 Jul 08
Okay, you can think I'm crazy along with you, but I believe it's a sign. What do you need to do with the story to get it published? It would be fascinating to see what happens after it's published.
I've had a few paranormal experiences and enough weird feeling that came out true that I believe something is going on out there around us for sure. Not necessarily scary, but there.
@anawar (2404)
• United States
24 Jul 08
Hmmm_ no one ever asked me that before. I've edited the story so many times, I have to chack my portfolio and make sure the current version is posted. Then, I'll send you the link.
Thanks for being crazy with me and believing in my experiences.
1 person likes this
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
24 Jul 08
I believe in what u see and feel.. Becasue she's your sister and normally only ple who are the closest to the ones who have passed away, will feel and see the difference.. To all others, the painting is still hte same, but in your mind, there's another set of painting inside of u, with the set inside your mind, u can see the colors fading away and thus the others cant see it, but only u.. Because, u really love her lots and her fading off, is just like time..
However she wun vanish from the painting in u, as that's the last image of her, inside of u ^_^
@anawar (2404)
• United States
24 Jul 08
kun - your thoughts as always, are poetic and have a wonderful sound when I read them.
But no, that's not what's going on. Others see the fading. The last picture I have of her is when she was much older than 10 years - her age when the portrait was painted.
I appreciate your comments as always.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
24 Jul 08
I think you could have her restored by a decent painter. Maybe the finish has worn away in that place.
I like your theory, though, it's so romantic and tragic. Go ahead and publish the story, on the internet if nowhere else, and see what happens!
1 person likes this
@anawar (2404)
• United States
24 Jul 08
No, I think if you saw it, you would agree with me. I don't want to tell my mom because she'll get all upset and I wouldn't do anything to the portrait without her knowing. And, she probably will tell me I'm crazy anyhow.
I'm looking for an internet website that fits the format of the story.
Thanks for your support. It does sound romantic and tragic, doesn't it? Just talking about the picture and the story, after keeping all of this inside me for so long, feels so good!
Maybe change will come around this way.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
23 Jul 08
I do not think that there is anything wrong with what you said. From the way I see it, you are saying that your sister is trying to give you a sign to publish the story, are you not? Have you thought of that? I would definitely publish the story, maybe it's time to publish it and not fret over it?
I believe in signs from spirits. I think that you should publish your story!
1 person likes this
@anawar (2404)
• United States
23 Jul 08
SomeCowgirl - I knew I liked you. Thanks for going along with my crazy ideas and supporting me. You really do believe in signs from spirits, don't you me too.
I don't know if I will publish it, it's been so long now since I wrote it. I think if I meant to publish it, I would have found a way a long time ago. But then, I never had a Cowgirl in my life until now. Maybe you'll change things around somehow.
You made me smile once again. I owe you one.
3 people like this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
23 Jul 08
I am glad that I made you smile, and I hope that no matter whether you publish it or not, that this mysterious fading will stop. Have you tried talking to your sister? I know that it must sound simply silly but I do think that it might help. My brother recently passed away and even though it's been hard to accept, I think i've done right by him. My grandmother recently gave me money that I believed to really belong to my brother, so instead of keeping it I gave it to my mother. To make a long story short, my grandmother had planned to take money out of my brother's stimulus check, $40.00 to be exact, and I got $50.00 from her. My brother was or had given my mother the money minus the $40.00, so when it reached my hand I knew what I had to do. I gave my mom the money, and I think that my brother is very happy that I did so. To make a long story short, I think that maybe if you don't publish it you should talk to your sister and see what she wants you to do with it!
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
23 Jul 08
hmm, well I suppose that is up to you to decide. I actually thought of an idea, just a second ago. Have you ever heard of the angel magazine? I'm not sure if that's the title but it's a short (by short I mean, not very tall in length) and features inspirational stories, and miracle stories. I am not sure where you would go to get this published or if they have a website, but looking them up wouldn't be a bad idea!
2 people like this
@cyberfluf (4996)
• Netherlands
24 Jul 08
I do believe in paranormal phenomenons but it's hard to decide what would be a real paranormal phenomenon and what would be your mind messing with you.
It sounds like this could be real, if it would be a message from your sister I think it would be that she doesn't want you to let go and keep her from fading out of your lifes. You could try to burn a candle for her or some insence sticks and think about her and celebrate the time you had with her. It might close the deal. And make sure you 'tell' her you will never forget her.
It's worth a shot, if it doesn't work the insence will still make your room smell sweet and it also cleanses the place.
@bonbon664 (3466)
• Canada
24 Jul 08
It sounds like something out of the Twilight Zone. I don't think it's really happening for the reasons you think. I think it may actually be happening, because I don't think you're going crazy, but, may the sun is hitting the painting in that spot causing it to fade unevenly.
@anawar (2404)
• United States
24 Jul 08
If it's the sun, why aren't the rest of us fading at all? With everyone asking me over and over again, I keep looking at the portrait, trying to convince myself it's all in my mind. Even if that's true, and none of this is really happening, well, I still am hoping to find a way to publish the story.
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
24 Jul 08
Maybe you can take the painting to an art restorer... the that work in museum... restoring antique art... they maybe able to help you since they are expert in such things... but if they say that they also do not know the phenomenon behind the fading of your sister's image... that it must be something that cannot be explained... and that you need to publish that story... just to see if she will stop fading...
@anawar (2404)
• United States
24 Jul 08
asertdd- hi. Publishing the story is the answer. I need to find the best place to publish it and the courage to try.
I don't want to go through lulu, or self-publish because it's so expensive.
Anyhow, thanks for validating my observations. All mylotters like yourself are helping me and giving me the push I need to finally get this story out.
I think mylot guidelines suggest not responding with a thank you, but maybe they meant don't respond with only a thank you for posting, and nothing more.
So, thanks for your support.
travel lightly
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
24 Jul 08
anawar I think you need to take your painting to an art
restorer as sunlight is damaging your sisters body that is
why the paint seems to be fading away, its sun damage not
paranormal at all and can be repaired by an expert.It would
be nice foryou to publish the story but the picture can be restored by an expert.
@anawar (2404)
• United States
24 Jul 08
It's a complicated family matter and we won't have her pic restored. My mom would be torn apart if she knew.
All of your points are valid, thanks for the suggestion. If the fading gets worse, we may have to consider restoration. The picture is not exposed to sunlight and if it was, why would she be the only one who is fading?
Maybe my thoughts are whimsical, but, that's me.
1 person likes this
@blackmantra_x (2732)
• Philippines
24 Jul 08
good day.. Do you think what you ought to do. I mean if you want to publish your story then I think yo should. I believe phenomenon like that can and do happen because if the last of our remains are not spirits then what are we? Maybe it's a sign maybe it's not but do what you think you need to do. Good luck.
