Assertion**Robby Kidby's Response to Saying Thanks to My Ghosts

This journal is in response to Robby Kidby's response to Saying Thanks to My Ghosts by Amy Tan.

I have mixed emotions about whether or not ghosts actually exist; but I believe that if they do, we should not attempt to reach them. We are the alive ones and should be spending our time living our own lives. Nothing is owed to these "ghosts". We are who we are because of the influences that are alive in our lives not the dead spirits that surround us. Sure, our ancestors have influenced our genes and possibly served as influences to our parents when they were alive but once they're dead, they no longer impact our lives. Appreciation and thanks should be possessed for ancestors, but we should not avidly be seeking to communicate with them. We should pay them no mind and continue with our own lives. The person we are is created by us and we live our own lives, they in no way can help us overcome our toughest situations.

This whole ordeal of Amy Tan thinking she can talk to ghosts began by a lie she told her mother. Tan developed her own little fantasy that she played along with for years. The claim that Amy Tan's mother appeared to her after her death was most likely just a dream or something she had as she was grieving her loss. Seeing her mother is the main piece of evidence that Tan has for her belief in ghosts and her belief that she is a medium with them, and this is insufficient. Having an Asian descent is also important to note because many Asian religions emphasize the significance of ancestor worship.

All this belief in the influence of ghosts in your life is just ridiculous. Amy Tan believes it as it has been an emphasized part of her culture, so that is understandable. I, however, do not believe that ghost's have any influence in your life, if they exist at all, or that they should be contacted.