I’d really like to tell you that my Chip Coffey story starts with me watching the first season of Psychic Kids. That is where I first saw him. And, because I feel I should admit to you that in watching season one of Psychic Kids, I seemed to cry during each episode, because every time they helped a kid I took it personally.
It was not so much about helping me face up to being intuitive, too. It’s because I felt like what he said to support those children was what all children and especially gifted, highly sensitive, and “othered” children need to hear.
I think it’s what I wish I’d been told, as a kid: Accept yourself. Embrace who you are for all that makes you unique and different. Wonderful, and unique, and different. Explore and enjoy your abilities and differences – whatever they are. May we all normalise telling such things to all children. I deeply believe that being your “Truest Best Self” is your most precious gift to the world.
So yeah, I really wish I could tell you that was where this story starts – and I definitely got so much value from the show, but…
But, my Chip Coffey story really begins later, after my true love died – my husband Christian. I was so sad, and I missed him so much. It was all I could do to stay alive. Wherever Christian was – that’s where I wanted to be.
I had to make sense of it. Like many in grief, I wondered how he could be gone – and the world still go on! And, I wanted to hear from him, know he was all right. Know I hadn’t failed him, things like that…Imagine the things you might ask your true love, if you got to speak with them just one more time.
I knew that intuitive abilities were real because back then, I used to call myself uselessly psychic. Mainly, I got info like what song was about to play on the car radio, even if the channel was changed. My husband used to laugh and ask if I could tell him six numbers for the lottery?
Perhaps, I should have revealed to him that in my teens I’d wondered the same thing! How about giving me winning lottery numbers?! I came to a stand still in the aisle of my neighbourhood pharmacy when I heard an inner voice answer that it wasn’t my path, and to let others have it – I wouldn’t need it.
But, I did have dreams that came true – déjà vus and lucky hunches all over the place, since grade school – almost as far back as I can remember. They amounted to vague alerts about memorable events – personal and global. The déjà vus showed up like bookmarks in time. An odd part of being me. Somehow they made me feel like I was weird and I kept them to myself.
To hear from Christian, I needed someone gifted, practiced, and trustworthy. I thought about what to do – who fit that bill. I turned to Chip Coffey.
First year widow-grief is all kind of a blur to me. So now that I think of it, the episode that made up my mind was actually from another show – Paranormal State. Chip Coffey was on that one, too. It was about college students who did paranormal investigations. He was their expert.
In the episode that made up my mind, a family was being terrorized by frightening images in their house. They felt haunted or cursed, and sick with dread.
The family called on the team from Paranormal States for help. Chip Coffey went all over the house investigating. Then he told them that he did not perceive any strange energies or a presence in their house. He told them to contact their utility company because he suspected that they were really sick – suffering from a slow gas leak, or CO2 poisoning! It was making them see and feel these distressing things.
I was so impressed. No glory or clout chasing. No spirits needed his help into the light. Sure enough he was right. They were being poisoned.
That’s what did it for me! What honesty and integrity! A psychic who’ll say “I don’t see anything!”
To me, that meant I could believe it better if he said he was in touch with my Christian. So, I contacted Chip Coffey. It wasn’t free, but it was worth it.
I can’t remember how many months it was after my husband had transitioned to non-physical. That’s what I call it, now. I recall that Mr. Coffey said it was still very soon to be reaching out to contact my husband and that it often takes 3-months or so for people to get accustomed. He told me that my husband was fine…and was glad that I missed him. Glad that I felt so for him. I truly did. In fact I was sad and numb all at the same time. I got to ask those maybe last chance questions. I even asked if my music loving husband could see his favourite Jazz Legends who were over there on the other side. Sara Vaughan? Carmen McRae? Louis Armstrong? Christian told us they were in a different part. The biggest things I can say are that he believed in me and knew I’d be all right – and would handle things. He told me where to find some documents, too. And, that he still loved me. Chip Coffey said that what I could do for Christian was send him Love. That it would help him. Strengthen him. So I tried to, and felt guilty because in the moment, I felt so drained, like a lighter or match that just wouldn’t catch.
For days and months after, I did my best to make up for it. I’d fill myself up with the feeling of love, then send it on to him. Chip also said I could just speak directly to Christian. It was weird, mainly because I was embarrassed to talk with Chip like an operator listening on the line!
But it was a precious experience. Mr. Coffey was very kind. At the start of our session he’d even made gentle small talk about where I lived and how he sometimes had to visit my area. I think he was trying to calm me. I wish I’d been less awestruck, and said what was on my heart – that he was welcome in my humble home.
At the very end of the call I did one more thing. I couldn’t help it, or pass up the chance: I asked Mr. Coffey if he picked up on whether I had any psychic abilities, because I thought I did…I’d put the feeling to bed forever if he told me no. After all, he was the man who helped affirm those young people. He paused, and then his voice sounded somehow deeper, very firm and serious. “Yes. But, you don’t listen. They say you don’t listen. They say you have got to listen. You’ve got to listen.”
I thanked him and I started listening. And for me, that changed everything.
May you allow yourself to listen to your best inner voices and guidance.
By the way, dear Chip Coffey, you will always find a welcome in my humble home.
Auset
