Have you ever experienced something that there seems to be no explanation for?
Maybe something strange or intriguing, but you just can’t figure out what might be the cause?
This is our family cabin.
It came with a ghost. But don’t worry – he’s a friendly ghost.
Let me share this story with you and tell you about the latest happenings with The Bell….
The Backstory
We have a lake home that we use as our cabin (it’s mostly hidden among all the trees in the photo above). My parents bought the house back in the early 1970s from an elderly couple who couldn’t stay there any longer. The family selling the house needed to sell it quickly, so my parents bought it fully furnished. And I mean FULLY furnished. All the furnishings, dishes, silverware, paintings – you get the idea. EVERYTHING came with the house – it was literally move-in ready. And we did.
The house was built in the 1950s. It sits atop a hill on the west side of the lake. The front of the house faces east, with a gentle slope down to a flat area next to the lake. The front of the house is mostly full, floor-to-ceiling windows – where you can watch the most amazing sunrises over the lake.
The lake the house is on is fairly small (for Minnesota, that is), but it’s an awesome fishing lake and is very quiet. The yard is very large and is very private. It really is an amazing place!
My family has used this house as our cabin since I was young. We have so many awesome memories of this place! For me, it is my favorite place to “get away from it all”.
While Mom and Dad are both gone now, the lake house still has a very special place in my heart, and it’s still my favorite get-away.
Meet Obbie
When we first got the house, we noticed a name written on the wall in pencil behind a couch out in the porch. The name written there is “Obbie” (it’s still there).
After several years of owning the house, we began to notice odd things happening.
There was always a tea pot full of water sitting on the stove. Sometimes when we were all outside, the tea pot would whistle. We’d go inside to find the tea pot water hot, with no idea how that happened. We’d just say “Obbie”.
There were other times when guests would be at the cabin and when they were alone inside, they’d hear someone calling their name. After looking around the cabin to see who was inside – and finding no one – they’d come outside and tell us what happened. We’d all look at each other knowingly, nod, and say “Obbie”.
Sometimes we’d all be in the kitchen or living room playing games, and we’d hear a crashing sound from the porch. We’d go out there, only to find nothing out of place. “Obbie”.
Between friends and family, we’ve all experienced an encounter of one kind or another with “Obbie”.
The Bell
When my Dad became ill and couldn’t go to the cabin anymore, I bought security cameras that allowed him to watch the sunrises over the lake from his home, and the sunsets across the wide field in the backyard. This made him happy, and made him feel like he was still at the lake. “The Lake” (as we lovingly called it) was Dad’s most favorite place.
We still have the cameras at the house, and I actually enjoy having them open while I’m at home. It makes me feel like I’m at the cabin when I can see the lake and yard. The cameras have volume, so I also keep that on throughout the day while I’m home – sometimes I can hear the waves crashing on the shoreline, and I like that.
Now, here’s where it gets weird.
Over the past week, usually around dusk, I can hear a bell ringing. It’s a gentle sound and a peaceful sound. I’m not talking about a doorbell, rather more like a cast iron bell. The bell rings in such a way, that it actually makes a really pleasing melody. This only lasts for about 3 or 4 minutes, then the bell stops.
Every time I hear the bell, I stop whatever I’m doing (usually making dinner), and listen. I get goosebumps every time!
My kids and my husband have also heard the bell – so I’m not just hearing things. When we hear it, we all quickly look at the security cameras to see if we can spot something moving at the cabin.
I haven’t been to the cabin much in the past two years due to life issues, and I honestly don’t remember if my Dad hung a bell in the porch or not. But the sound I hear is coming from inside the porch. The same porch where the name Obbie is written on the wall. I’ve come to the point now where I hope I hear the bell every day!
My Dad’s favorite place to be was at The Lake. I’d like to think the bell is being rung by my Dad while he’s hanging out with Obbie. Knowing my Dad, I’m sure somehow he has something to do with this… and I love that. Miss you and love you Dad. Keep that bell ringing.
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