Remember the Nicole Kidman movie “The Others” that came out a few years ago? You know the one where the kids were allergic to light and the staff all disappeared? Remember going to see it in theaters? And the one girl who screamed really loud when it really was not that scary? The one tucked into the seat with her eyes closed and hands pressed over her ears? Yeah, that was me.

For as long as I can remember, I have been deathly afraid of ghosts. Not just “the monster under the bed”-real ghosts. It is actually a phobia. Just the idea of ghosts scares me. The haunted cornfield maze? I refuse. Haunted houses? Forget it. Casper? No way, Jose.

Call me crazy. I will call myself crazy; who is scared of Casper? But I cannot help it; believe me, I have tried. Once a year, around Halloween, I am convinced I can cure this. I make myself go see scary movies because if I see enough of them, I will not be scared, right? Wrong. The only thing accomplished is nightmares for weeks after I see the movie. I know this, because it happens every time.

So why do I persist? Because if we gave up every time something scared us, what would be accomplished? Even though I know I will be scared for a few weeks, I have to attempt to watch scary movies. I have to believe I am stronger than my fears. If I never tried, how would I know what could be accomplished?

So once again, as Halloween approaches, I will try to overcome my fear of ghosts. Will it work? Probably not, but I have to try. I am still not brave enough for the Haunted House in Calhoun, but “Exorcism of Emily Rose?” Bring on the nightmares.