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The original was posted on /r/ghosts by /u/annabellagrant on 2025-09-30 23:58:20+00:00.

I live in a rum running house built in 1927 in New England. We have lived in this house for 25 years now, since I was 5 years old. From the very beginning both my mother and I felt there was a presence in the house, specifically in the basement. I should also mention that I am a psychic medium. My mother and grandmother are as well. I have vivid memories from my childhood of an old man sitting on a wooden box (like a milk crate?) right next to the water heater in our basement. Both my mother and I have smelled pungent cigar smoke from that area as well. No one in our house smokes. As I have gotten older and become more in tune with my “powers” I have identified that this spirit is an elderly grandfather-like man. He has never hurt or scared us. In fact it feels as though a grandfather is watching over us and keeping other spirits away from the house. Now that we have two cats they are often hanging out around that space, or sitting nearby staring at that space. I have always felt that I am being watched down there, but it has never felt evil or invasive. Perhaps the most outward thing that the ghost has done is mess with the living room lights. Every time we left for family vacations, or when I left for college I would say goodbye to the ghost and he would flicker the lights to say goodbye back immediately. I have no idea who this man is, but he has always felt like a comforting presence making sure our house is safe. Does anyone else have a friendly ghost grandpa in their basement?