An awakening to the realization that there is more to death then a casket in the ground can be an eerie feeling. Does life have to end at death or can there be more to the story than what we accept. Most people shy away from these questions because it is unpleasant. They desire to live in the moment and dwell on the happy experiences that come and go with each breath.
But over time love ones pass away and the subject matter returns to haunt the conscious. The fear of the unknown may be the whole reason why we cause ourselves emotional trauma. Death does not have to be a mystery kept in the dark. Nor should it cause an unnerving affect that comes with knowing that everyone will face that ultimate day. The fear of death fades as one receives absolute proof that the afterlife is real.
It may not seem all that obvious in the beginning but weird happenings do occur in the months or years following the death of someone close. Once the shades of yesterday's dogma start to disappear then the real explanations start to unravel and free the mind. To have the ability to connect both worlds is an amazing thing to share with those yearning for answers. The proceeding event is another solid block in an on going structure that I hope one day seals the destiny of future explorers into the unknown.
On July 25th 2013, I was heading down Passyunk Avenue which is a hot spot of metaphysical energy. This area of South Philly was once the habitat of Native American tribes. It is also the location of numerous cemeteries that lie beneath the modern neighborhood. My route started from the two popular eateries of Geno's and Pat's Steak around Federal Street. And it extended south towards where Passyunk, Mckean and Broad Streets meet.
I started this walking routine several weeks prior to receiving this paranormal experience. Every time I passed the three barber shops south of Mifflin street on the west side of Passyunk Avenue I would get a mental nudge to explore. On this particular day I gave in to the nudge that said "go get a haircut." As I got closer to all three shops I asked "which one." In response it said the "third one." It is not easy for me to enter a barber shop especially since I shave my head.
Awkward as it was I entered the "Hollywood Style Barber Shop" and immediately got goose bumps. As I stood at the entrance I received a bolt of paranormal energy that manifested a shiver that went up my spine. There was no one in the shop but there was an "open door" that separate it from the residence section. I took a couple steps over to see if anyone was in the back and there I seen an elderly couple side by side.
As I was staring at them trying to figure out what to say the elderly man abruptly turned around and looked my way. And as he did he vanished before my eyes. When the woman turned around I said "what happened to the guy that was just standing by your side?" Startled by what I just said she told me to come back in an hour so that I can tell it to her daughter. After I left the shop I received a vision of the same elderly man holding a plate of food that looked like an all cheese lasagna with prosciutto but no sauce.
I returned several hours later and meet her daughter "Josie." I described to her the appearance and features of the man who vanished. She confirmed the description fit her father's and then showed me a picture of him. Josie said her father's name was "Frank Marcantonio" and that he past away three years ago. She was shocked to learn that I actually seen him because she felt bad about not believing her mother's stories of feeling the presence of her father.
I told Josie and her mother "Helen" (Minelli) that this is a normal situation. The bonds of love, family and marriage can cause a deceased loved one to remain around family after death and or to wait for the other spouse to cross over. Helen confirmed that prosciutto lasagna was Frank's favorite thing to eat. She was very happy I came along and confirmed what she already knew but no one believed.
On January 9th of 2014, I received another vision but it involved both Frank and Helen. They were side by side smiling with their hands joined together. I knew something had happened but didn't find out until later that Helen had past away on December 29th of 2013. On June 30th 2014, I stopped by the barber shop and finely got a haircut and reminisced with Josie about the closure her mother received before passing. Later in July of 2014, I again received another vision and this time while meditating at home.
On August 8th of 2014 , I told Josie about the vision of seeing her father as a young man going into the middle bedroom on the second floor. Inside this room I seen a night stand with a bright lamp that lit up the room. I seen a bed next to it with a young girl around 9 years old in pajamas. At that she said of the five bedrooms up stairs the middle one on the second floor was hers as a child. She said around that age she was afraid of the dark and her father would check up on her at night. She also said that her father Frank choose that room to reside in during his final hours.
On October 13th 2014 I made a return visit to the shop to see Josie. She was clearing out the back at the time to make way for it to be turned into an apartment. She showed me a crystal angel her mother kept in a cabinet that had significant meaning. On the angel was a piece of plastic that contained a band-aid. Her mother saved it as a memento because it contained a blood stain of a perfectly shaped heart. Seven months after Frank passed away her mother accidentally cut herself sowing. When she pulled the band-aid off the stain formed a heart and she believed it was a sign from Frank.
On February 4th of 2015, I went to see Josie at her barber shop. She informed me that her father's uncle was "Nick Croce" and that he was the original owner. Nick opened the barber shop in 1927 and Frank became a co-owner in 1953. The family has ties to the Abruzzi region of Italy and traditions are very important. Before I left she showed me a huge beautifully colored painted portrait of a "Matador and Charging Bull." It was Frank's pride and joy to own it and to show it off to his customers. In it I believe is a special message for those who desire to conquer their fears whether it be the endeavors of life or the unknown that resides in darkness.
This shop held a lot metaphysical energy that was a residue of many by gone days of happiness and community bonding. In the shadows of time many events come and go without a marker being placed as a memorial. But for those who can see in the dark nothing remains hidden forever. Life is like a gem in its matrix. Unless you chip away at the outer surface you will never find out its worth.
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