A Spirit

In 2000, I was working in the basement at a place called William Temple House in Portland, Oregon. It was built in the Romanesque style in the 1940's and went through several owners and was once used as a speak easy and boarding house. This agency is in the NW sector of Portland and the building helps people who are in transition.

My job was to receive, sort and put together food boxes and put all different types of donations out so they could get clothing, toiletries, bedding, etc.

I worked alone most days. One time, as I was putting socks in the bin, I started smelling a very strong woman's perfume and I could feel the hair on my arms and neck raise. I felt dizzy and it got cold. I just froze... This spirit was behind me and patted me on the back. It was comforting and reassuring. I felt it was a mother or grandmother. I was trying to stay calm this lasted for approximately 20-25 seconds then I felt her go... The rest of that day I continued to get whiffs of her lingering perfume.

I know sometimes spirits are attached to their personal objects and the items would come in from all over Portland on a daily basis. Sometimes people who passed away and had no family so we would get there belonging.

I didn't feel scared working there after this experience. I'm Native American and I've been told not to be afraid of the spirit world. I offered tobacco and prayer that day, feeling I was not in harm's way. But I sure would smudge up with sage before going in and when I got back home.