Question A

[Jonetta]

Elizabeth Decker was interested in the séance because she hoped to reach her deceased daughter, Maggie, so she could apologize and ask her forgiveness. Were you surprised to learn how deeply troubled she still was about Maggie’s death?

[Phrynne]

I was a bit surprised. And I was also surprised that such a sensible woman would imagine she could make things better via a séance! I imagined her to be more down to earth like Sarah.

[Jonetta]

It threw me, too. We never got a hint that she felt this guilty about Maggie’s circumstances and death. It explained a lot about the depth of those feelings because Elizabeth is definitely a sensible woman.

[Charlene]

I agree with both of you. I was astonished that Elizabeth would have gone once, and then again.

[Lauren]

It did seem very out of character for Elizabeth who up until know has seemed so grounded.

[Robin]

I agree. Elizabeth didn't seem like the type who would ever attend a séance. She must have been very bothered by the circumstances of Maggie's death.

[~ Giulia ~]

I wasn't really surprised that she felt this strongly about Maggie's death, but I was surprised about the séance. I agree that it shows how much guilt she still felt, to resort to something seemingly so out of character for her.

[Jonetta]

I think the séance surprised all of us.

[Sharon]

I wasn't surprised about the seance. I remember learning of Eleanor Roosevelt's belief in the occult. It surprised me the first time I read about her. Since the Deckers and the Teddy Roosevelts were friends it seemed believable to me. Most people believe in something other worldly, and the need to know that a dead child forgives is overwhelming. I have seen many people waste money on fortune tellers, spiritualists, cults, etc. to find hope.

If you look at Sylvia Browne and others of her ilk today, they are highly promoted on talk shows and gain a following because "they see something" no one else sees. I purchased a lot of her books back in the day hoping to find insight into things that happened in my life.