Haunted by his name

I do not believe in ghosts, ghouls, spirits, poltergeists, spooks, or demons. However, I do believe that I am haunted by a name. This may sound unusual - nevertheless it is true -. I believe it and that is enough for it to have any significance. I will prove this to you below. The NAME seems to follow me through my life like an unwelcome smell that is forever lingering just behind me, out of sight, and always ready to leap out at me when I least expect it. No matter how many twists and turns I have taken during my life's journey to date - the NAME continues to creep up on me. It just follows me without my permission. 'How can a name haunt you?' I hear you ask! I will explain.

It is a matter of public record that I, and others, where sexually abused by a man named John Allen. In my case, this was in the late 1960's and early 70's. It is his NAME that mysteriously haunts me. Actually, his full name is John Ernest Allen, but he was always known as John Allen. If you search the Internet with these four words: 'John Allen Bryn Alyn' - you will discover hundreds, if not thousands, of references and official public records that refer to his alleged involvement in a paedophile ring and his subsequent conviction in 1995 of Child Abuse. Bryn Alyn was the first children's home he owned.

It seems that I simply cannot escape that name. In fact, over the past thirty-seven years, I have had the NAME almost shoved down my throat every year of my life. Let me give you a few examples.

• I ordered a fish tank for my tropical fish. It arrived and I unpacked it. The first thing I noticed was that it was manufactured by John Allan Aquariums.
• I was once sufficiently wealthy to own a Rolls Royce and I wanted to exchange it for a Bentley. I asked a friend for a recommendation and he referred me to John Allen Cars in Colchester.
• In the late 80's I met someone who became a business partner and life long friend. I knew him as Alan. Later, when signing some official documents, I discovered that is Christian name was John and his middle name was Alan.
• When one of my sons needed driving lessons, I searched the Internet for a Driving School. I clicked on a link and it took me to the John Allan Driving School.
• I was searching Amazon for a book about the true meaning of Christmas. It recommended a book entitled: 'Christmas Gifts, Christmas voices' by John Allen.
• In 1998 I moved my home, some 150 miles north from my birthplace. It was a small village with a quaint pub. I walked into to the pub to test the local brew. A man at the bar welcomed me to the village and introduced himself. His name was John Alan.
• I once had on occasion to visit Oxford. While there, I had to leave a business meeting early to fix a problem with my car. I was directed to the local Halfords. It was around the corner from the location of the meeting - in the John Allen Centre.
• I was in an auction room, just browsing, when I accidentally knocked a box over. As I bent down to pick up the magazines and pamphlets that had fallen out, I noticed the only one facing upwards was a pamphlet about rolling stock railways - written by John Allen.
• I was once in Scotland and I asked for flowers to be left in the room as a surprise for my wife when we arrived. They were beautiful - delivered by John Allan Florists.
• I was on a business trip in Leicestershire, staying at a local hotel. After checking in I visited the bar. I bought a drink and sat down. On the table was a copy of the Leicester Mercury with a headline that read 'Driver Killed in car crash' The name of the driver was John Allen.
• When I was planning to get married, I did some research on exotic honeymoons. I was refered to a specialist - John Allan Travel.
• When working in Ayrshire, a collegue fell ill and I had to attend a meeting on their behalf. The meeting was with the local Councillor - his name was John Allan.
• I was listening to BBC Radio 2, Terry's Old Geezers! He played a song. I liked it and turned it up. When it ended Terry said 'That was the new song by Jon Allen'

You may be getting bored by now. I could go on. I have at least twenty other examples that I can recall. More recently, I opened the newspaper and read the headline about John Allen Muhammed - the sniper who was being executed that day. And, just to bring this story of being haunted by a NAME to an end, before you fall asleep. I will finished with the very latest 'haunting!'

Yesterday, I was searching the internet for a suitable picture for a Hubpage. I spotted a possible photograph that I thought I may use. I clicked on it and guess what! -up it came in front of me, the photographs was by - Johh Allen Photography.

Yep! I am haunted by my abusers name - every time I read it, I have to remember him and what he did to me and to others. There is NO ESCAPING THE NAME!

PS. My wife just reminded me of two recent 'hauntings' that I had forgotten about:

• We ordered new carpets for the house. The man that came to fit them introduced himself upon his arrival. He said ' good morning, I am John Allen, I have come to fit your carpets'.
• My wife surprised me with a birthday party in the local pub. They laid on food and provided entertainment. It was a singer - his name was John T Allen.

UPDATE

It's only been a week and it happened AGAIN! Today, I was walking through a cemetery, with someone I am helping. We turned down a path that turned out to be a dead end. Facing the bottom of a path was a headstone standing alone. It was for a JOHN ALLEN who died in 1968 - spooky, that was the year I met John Allen - my abuser!

Halloween Update 2010

Turned on the Radio this morning, half awake the first thing I heard was a song by Jon Allen!

Would you believe this... turned on my PC this morning and an article pop-up from an email. It was about a 'RESPECTED EXPERT' named JOHN ALLEN who was reporting on SEX ABUSE in the catholic church!!! check it out http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10305/1099694-455.stm