Don't leave the kid in you behind

 A Tale of Lost Youth

The young couple were in love with their vacation camp. It sat on the south shore - and across the road - from Merrymeeting Lake in New Durham, New Hampshire - with a 20-foor wide right-of-way to the water.

Merrymeeting lake - photo credit - Sky Viking

Records revealed the refuge had been built in the mid-1950s by an elderly man with advanced cancer. His name was Joe, and the camp's original name was "Joe's Haven".

The cottage was a true refuge for the new owners, but there was something strange that needed an explanation. What they originally thought was the wind blowing through the uninsulated walls was a mystery. But the sound had a human quality to it - sounding somewhat like the muffled voice of a young boy.

At times, the wife thought she heard the names "Joey" and "Tony" being called and spoken in a very low tone. This continued with no explanation - and then it happened.

One night the wife was awakened by "the voice", and she saw what appeared to be the vision of a young boy in the darkened doorway to the bedroom. His arms were extended to her as though seeking comfort. He appeared to be crying, and she was drawn immediately to his eyes. They were almond-shaped and wet with tears. And then the vision disappeared.

She roused her husband, but the voice and vision were gone. Her description of the expericnce to her spouse was met with - "You must have been dreaming".

 The next day, the new owners were having coffee and loving the view of the lake when they heard footsteps coming up the stairs to the front door. The visiters were an older man and woman. The gentleman explained that his grandfather had built the camp and asked if he and his wife could take a quick look at the place for nostalgia purposes.

The oldtimer stated that in the 1950s he and his cousins had many great times at the camp. The lady-of-the-camp asked about the names of the cousins. "Joey" and Tony" was the response from the oldtimer. The male visiter appeared to be on the verge of crying at this point, and it was then that the lady occupant noticed the old man's almond-shaped eyes - which were now filled with tears.

The visiting couple toured the camp and left. "The voice" and "the vision" never occured again. Were they the embodiment of a boy's love for his youth and the place itself? And was the oldtimer the grownup version of the youthful apparition?

In fact, the young phantom presence had left with the old man - never to be heard or seen by the new owners again. The kid was now where he belonged. The boy and the old man both knew that grownups should never leave the kid in them behind.