| The Boy at Bristol Cemetery |
A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to do a
couple of investigations at Bristol Cemetery in Bristol, PA. One of these
investigations happened to be my very first. It was a weird experience for
me. Here I am, in a cemetery, after dark and I felt completely at ease. It
was almost peaceful. I hardly noticed the train going by at times because
I was so focused on this location.
I walked around the cemetery taking pictures here and
there. I really had no clue what I was doing. I was just trying to mimic
what other people in the group were doing. Anyway, after about an hour or
so, I happened to stop by a grave and I had a feeling that can only be described
as very peaceful. I looked down and I saw that I was standing in front of
the grave of a 13 year old boy. There were toys on the stone and all I could
think of was how sad this was that he did not get a chance to grow up. I
took numerous pictures in this spot, but nothing turned up. For the rest
of the investigation that night, I wandered around the cemetery and seemed
to end up back at that gravesite. I don't know why I was drawn to it. Maybe
I formed some sort of connection with that boy when I stood there in front
of his grave and thought about what his short life might have been like.
After that first investigation, I got my pictures developed
and I was almost surprised to see that I got absolutely nothing in any of
the pictures that I took around that gravesite. I was almost certain that
I would have gotten some kind of evidence.
Shortly after the first investigation, we did a follow
up. Again, I was drawn to the boy's grave. I can also remember the feeling
of comfort and peace that came over me right away when I got to that area.
This time, I decided to leave my tape recorder on his stone in hopes of getting
an EVP. I can still remember looking down and seeing fresh flowers and different
toys since the last time I had been by that grave. This time, the new toys
and the fresh flowers made me think of the parents who are still grieving
over the loss of their child that had died 4 years earlier. In one way, I
started to feel sad, but as quickly as that feeling came on, I had another
of happiness. I can't explain that feeling.
After I left my recorder, I began to walk around the
cemetery and investigating like normal. After about a half hour or so, I
made my way back to the grave to pick up my recorder. I grabbed my recorder
and I stood there and thanked the boy out loud for accepting my presence
there. I just stood there in my thoughts for a few moments and I said good
bye. I turned to walk away and that was when I noticed my shoes were untied.
I usually don't have a problem with my shoes coming untied but the fact that
one minute everything was fine and the next I am ready to walk out of my
shoes made me laugh. I could see myself pulling that same kind of prank if
I were in that boy's spot.
I have been to a lot of places and experienced a lot
of paranormal things that I can't explain, but this was the only time that
I have ever felt that at peace anywhere. Anytime that I happen to be in the
area, I make it a point to go back to that boy's gravesite. Every time, no
matter how bad my day is or what I have on my mind, I am instantly at peace.
I will stand there and talk to the friend I have never met. I will also wonder
if he is just hanging around to give comfort to a family that seems to care
for him as much as ever. I have not captured any evidence on film, but I
don't doubt that he is there.
Account written By PIRA Team Leader Bob R.