Griffin Speaks

THE BOOGEY MAN IS REAL

When I was a small child growing up in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, like most children, I believed in Santa Claus, the Hoppy Horse, the Tooth Fairy and the Boogey Man.

I remember the many trips to Tarry Town Mall to sit on Santa Claus’s lap telling him what I wanted him to bring me for X-mas. I remember the Hoppy Horse banging on my bedroom door every X-mas Eve. I was so afraid that he would find me awake and put black pepper in my eyes. I remember losing teeth and anxiously waiting for the Tooth Fairy to appear at night and place money beneath my pillow. She never missed a tooth. I never saw the Boogey Man. I was never told what he looked like but I was sure that if I ever saw him he would scare the hell out of me. The words “The Boogey Man will get you if you do that” was enough to make me think twice before I would take an action. 

I grew up and to my chagrin I learned that Santa Claus was a fake, the Hoppy Horse never existed, and the Tooth Fairy was a figment of my parent’s imagination. The only character that was truly real was the “Boogey Man”. You see the Boogey Man is every where. He is sometimes in your home, in your car, in your church, on your job, in your bed and in your very person. My definition of “Boogey Man” is something or someone that brings chaos and destruction in your life. A terrible addiction, a disease, an unfaithful spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend all can at some point in your life be your “Boogey Man”. 

There is very little doubt in my mind that as I write this column there is a “Boogey Man” amongst us waiting for his next victim. So remember the “Boogey Man” is real!

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com