Ghosts

                                                       

I guess it is appropriate coming up to Halloween that I should see a ghost. I don't mean a translucent specter...those actually don't frighten me at all. It very much is the ghosts of those people still walking amongst us that I am referring to. The ones you have forgotten...buried...that pop out from around corners when you least expect it. 

The past is in the past. We forgive and forget. And I forget very well. I am highly skilled in forgetting. I should have a certificate. So it genuinely throws me for a moment when a ghost pops up, unexpectedly, out of the blue, when I am usually in quite a vulnerable position. 

I promise I am not dwelling, I am digesting and hopefully being helpful because I'm sure many people can relate to this sort of situation. 

Society has put in to place a lovely set dialogue for such an occurrence. If one is inclined to enter into conversation with ghosts. It goes something like this:

(try to compose your face in a surprised but not shocked sort of way, an open smile with bright eyes usually does the trick. Use closed sentences that already have the answer you are looking for weaved into them)

"Oh, it's nice to see you! It's been awhile. You're looking well. You must be down for the weekend, at least the weather is not too bad - wasn't the summer fab. Everything alright, yeah? Well this has been nice - I'm running late you see, can't stop. Good to see you, take care. Good Bye."

Of course it is a terribly vacant way to conduct yourself. Small talk is great for many things. It is a human service we can all provide. But ghosts are different. You can put small talk on them if your are really really stuck...like...trapped in a corner somewhere with no escape. 

Otherwise, remember that they are ghosts for a very specific reason. Be polite and civil, but don't enter into deep and meaningful dialogues with them, or you may find yourself repeating your own past over and over again.