Was I visited that night by my grandfather’s ghost? The reasonable answer is no, of course not. My dreams were simply projecting the enormous psychic weight of finally understanding his story and not knowing what to do with that. All I can tell you this: I felt lighter when I wrote the last paragraph of the story linked above, as if I’d paid a debt or some such.

I’m going to stick with believing that my grandfather’s ghost wanted me to tell his story, and I encourage you to go on believing whatever you believe, too.

And while we’re at it, If you want to see a double exposure in the attached photo that’s up to you, too (click to enlarge). But I looked inside the briefcase holding my grandfather’s heavy psyche. I held the photos he took during those dark days. I saw what he saw, and I learned his secret: He was haunted.

“Born as Ghosts,” Rage Against the Machine

“Your Ghost,” Kristin Hersh and Michael Stipe

“Ghosts of Princes in Towers,” Rich Kids

“Ghost Town,” The Specials

“Friendly Ghost,” Eels

“Wise Up Ghost,” Elvis Costello and The Roots

“Ghosts of American Astronauts,” Mekons

“Ghost Riders in the Sky,” Johnny Cash