Our Mystical Barn

Moving from the Washington, DC metropolitan area to a smaller city in the Midwest to begin my teaching career was simultaneously an exciting and humbling experience. Once the relocation was complete, the most exciting challenge I encountered was convincing my colleagues that I was sincere and happy to be there. I was honored to be there since I chose to accept an Assistant Professor position with the University of Dayton because they offered the most attractive compensation package. Since teaching is not necessarily a financially rewarding profession, my goal was to seek the most attractive offer and earn enough to support my family while pursuing my passion.

So, my decision to relocate to the Midwest was easy. The job description entailed teaching for 6 hours per week for nine months and the rest of the week devoted to conducting research targeted for publication in refereed journals.

However, one of my biggest challenges was to make sure that my 9-year-old daughter Patty was able to acclimate herself to the new environment. Even though she was too young to complain, I knew that my relocation decision would impact her social and academic development. The good news is that she quickly made friends with kids in the neighborhood and at school. I was amazed when she told me that the children centered their lives around an abandoned barn within our area. Whenever dark clouds appeared, many would say that the people inside the barn were not happy. In contrast, sunshine led many to say that the people inside the barn must be joyful.

I thought that was silly because the barn remained vacant over the past two decades! Neighbors informed me that a couple once lived there with two children until they went out on a weekend outing and had a terrible accident when a truck crashed into them in a head-on collision and killed the entire family.

Relatives of the couple rented the house they lived in but cordoned off a significant part of the land they owned around the barn and forbade anyone from using or getting close to the barn. They felt the barn was a sacred shrine because the kids spent a lot of time playing with the animals housed in the barn. And although the grass around the barn was mowed by a professional landscaper, the area seemed frozen in time.

Many in the neighborhood often said that they heard steps, voices, and other noises coming out of the barn late at night. Of course, I remained a cynic, even though I remained in the minority. Still, out of respect or fear, most individuals maintained a safe distance from the barn whenever they walked past it.

After living in the neighborhood for over two years and walking or driving past the barn during the day and sometimes late at night, I never heard or observed anything abnormal. Yet, I would often see Patty tremble whenever she walked past the barn.

The level of respect was so strong that one morning as I walked our dog, Oscar, before going to my annual medical checkup, the dog yanked his collar off and started running around the neighborhood. Immediately, Stanley (my next-door neighbor) said, “I sure hope Oscar does not go to the barn because it will be a challenge getting him back because that place has mystical powers.” Not good, I thought, since that I had only a limited amount of time to go to my appointment and teach my classes! Instead, I was stuck chasing a dog who seemed to be celebrating his version of Freedom Day!

Sadly, I chased Oscar around for over 45 minutes until he approached the barn. I already knew that I had given up any chance of enjoying breakfast but if Oscar continued his little freedom game, I would miss my medical appointment too. Still, as Oscar ran around the barn, he started barking uncontrollably and running back and forth. When I called Oscar, he ran back and nervously stood still and allowed me to put his collar back on. Oscar was trembling and seemed very happy to be close to me. After returning from his ordeal, he gravitated towards any family member that would give him the time of day. It was as though he had seen something that scared the wits out of him.

After skipping breakfast, I arrived on time for my annual checkup and my morning classes. My physician was able to conduct all the necessary tests, but he delivered my second scare of the day. He said he felt a lump in my throat that would require a biopsy. He referred me to an ear, nose, and throat specialist who conducted the test a few days later and informed me I would get the results on the Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving Day.

That caused me to breathe a sigh of relief since I would know whether my tumor was malignant or benign before the holiday. Although each day of waiting felt like an eternity, I followed instructions and waited until 1:00 PM on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to call his office to get my results. Sadly, I learned that the staff had left early for the holidays due to several canceled appointments. That meant I would have to wait another five days (e.g., until the following Monday) to get my biopsy results.

After hanging up, my spirits plunged into a dark place. I even started to feel the lump and felt my life slipping away. I envisioned having to say goodbye to my young daughter and wife and the rest of my family. It was not going to be a good Thanksgiving Day after all. After feeling sorry for myself and wallowing around the house, I told my wife and daughter that I needed to go for a walk and make peace with the medical diagnosis I would receive in five days.

I walked around the neighborhood and to better appreciate the finer things in life just in case my condition would one day eliminate my ability to take walks. Next, I passed the barn and looked at the deteriorating structure imagining how the building looked before the tragic accident ended the life of a young family. It made me sad to ponder how fragile life could be. As I stood in front of the barn, I asked for a sign or hint about my medical condition. Of course, I heard no strange noises or experienced anything abnormal despite the onset of darkness.

As I looked around, I noticed the coast was clear, so I decided to break the rules and get closer, almost hoping to get a glimpse of what life might be like on the other side. In fact, after ignoring the “no trespassing,” sign, I decided to peer through an opening in the barn to get a better look at what was inside. I saw nothing and was quite disappointed because I hoped to receive a hint of what my future might bring. Having gone this far, I decided to walk around the barn and let my imagination wander further.

After circling the barn and returning to the same opening that I had peeked through, I felt a cool breeze behind me. Nothing strange, I thought, but when I took a second glance, I witnessed an effervescent young lady dressed in a long white dress playing with two children. When she noticed my presence, she smiled at me and nodded. What could that mean? But before I could react, she pointed her finger and softly whispered, "You will be okay." Although I did not hear anything, it was easy to read her lips and decode her message!

Wow, she was happy and smiling and telling me that I would be okay! While I stood frozen with intense fear, I knew that she was telegraphing the results of my biopsy five days in advance. I was so grateful that I smiled and quietly allowed my lips to whisper and say, “you have beautiful children.” The young lady smiled and nodded in agreement. And within a few seconds, her presence disappeared into thin air!

I could hardly believe my eyes as I walked away from the barn after receiving a precious Thanksgiving gift. I soon returned to help my family begin preparations for what I knew would be the best Thanksgiving celebration in my lifetime!