My dream about Dad

I had such a strange dream last night and yet when it was over and I woke up, I felt so peaceful and happy. But like I said, it was strange so bare with me and understand that in dreamland, ALL things are possible...

My mom took me aside and reminded me that the summer solstice was coming up [yes, I know its already passed). The summer and winter solstices were the only two times a year when the barriers between the worlds of the dead and the living came down, and all persons with extra-sensory, psychic, perception or telepathic talents could interact with them. In fact, for that one day the dead became living and the telepathic person could actually SEE and hear and touch them. So, she said to me, seeing that I was half-psychic this would be our chance to finally see and talk to Dad.

I was all for it and we made plans to spend that day, which was tomorrow, at the acreage. That night we mentally prepared ourselves with all the questions we wanted to ask and the things we needed to say. The next day arrived and we packed our supplies, food, sleeping bags, and candles, and headed out there. Immediately upon walking into the house, we noticed a charge in the air, almost like an invisible electric current. There was power here. We shivered with anticipation.

Set out our candles in a circle around us, lit them, then sat in the middle and held hands. We started the chant to bring our beloved back to us. The air shimmered and turned thick, then a form condensed and appeared in front of me. I blinked rapidly, tears forming, then looked to Mom. But she was staring blindly ahead, unable to see him, and then I remembered that without any psychic ability she would be unable to experience what I was. My heart clenched with sorrow for her, but when I looked back at the solid, smiling, form of my Dad I was joyous.

Tears poured down my face as I rushed toward him, wrapped my arms around his middle and just hugged for all I was worth. As his arms slowly wrapped around me in return, I was suddenly overwhelmed with all the emotions I'd held tightly inside for so long. Tragic, heaving sobs wracked my body and all I could do was just cling and cry as the storm of emotion inside me raged.

Time became hazy, hours passed, maybe minutes, but all I knew was that I needed to stop wasting precious time with the waterworks and get on with our mission. I wiped my face with Dad's shirt -- he laughed -- and sat back. Slowly I brought his hands forward until they were wrapped around my mother's, watching their faces closely. Mom was confused as to what I was doing, until she seemed to feel my dad's fingers interlaced with her own; maybe she could feel the hum of power he seemed to emit or maybe it was just that their connection was so strong. Her breath hitched and then a wave of love and peace suffused her face, she even lifted her head and seemed to look directly into his eyes.

We asked our questions, about the afterlife, was he happy and finally at peace, where did he go after this day, would he be back, does he ever watch over us and if so, are we aware of it. I can't remember what his answers were but I know that they gave us comfort, insight, hope, and finally, peace.

The day passed in a blur of laughter, tears, affection... simple touches of hands to shoulders, comforting strokes of fingers down arms, lingering hugs where we just couldn't seem to let go, strong bear hugs that squeezed the breathy laughter out of our aching chests.

Through it all I acted as the go-between, for Dad rather, as Mom was still unable to hear or see him. But I knew she could feel him, and when the two were together, cuddled on her sleeping bag or sitting side-by-side or her in his lap, the bond of energy and connection they had was tangible, one could feel its power.

Suddenly it occurred to me that as he became a physical being on this day, he could manipulate and use that second-most common tool of communication -- pen and paper. I frantically rummaged through my backpack until I found what I was looking for. Handed it to Dad as Mom looked on in confusion, then realization flashed in her eyes. I smiled indulgently, maybe even a bit wickedly, at the two and took my leave.

Wandered around the property for a bit, determined not to return until they'd had their say and done their thing. After all, she could still feel him and I wasn't going anywhere near that house (hey, I still remember those embarrassingly vocal nights as a kid where I just wanted to cut out my ears, haha). Hours went by and I'd walked every inch of that property, the fields beyond, even the ditches, and it was getting late and cold outside.

When I walked back into the house I could tell immediately that this had been a life-changing experience for my mother. She was radiant, seeming to shine with love, and the aura of peace and happiness surrounding her was palpable. Dad was more handsome than I'd ever seen him, his strong face so tender as he stared at her, hands gently clasped around her waist. Thankfully, their clothes were back on! Haha.

As the sun set, we stood outside and watched its crimson rays sink lower and lower. The mood turned somber, our gazes returned to each other again and again. This was it. At least until next solstice, though I had a feeling we wouldn't be back. We'd gotten our closure and knowing that Dad was at happy and at peace was a huge burden of guilt and regret lifted off our shoulders.

As darkness fell Dad's physical form became fainter, until finally he was a mere transparent outline. Mom must have felt the fading energy and power because a wave of sadness emitted from her.

Dad turned to her and lifted her into his arms, holding her tightly for one last time. Tears shimmered in both their eyes and they locked gazes, and suddenly her face was one of shock and awe. Her trembling fingers reached up and swept across his forehead, down his cheek, along his strong jaw.

"I SEE you, Mark! My love, I can SEE you!" I heard her say in her mind, though her lips never moved. She must have been too shocked.

As he spoke, I knew she was finally able to hear him as well.

"Sadness, my darling? Not us. We don't DO sad. We are joy. We are love. TRUE love. Forever love. The memories of us and our time together will sustain me until we can be together again. Be happy, my love, and know that every time you find one of my signs, I am thinking of you and sending you strength and hope."

And with that he disappeared entirely, and we were left in silence. Mom and I shared a look of so much unspoken thoughts, yet we completely understood each other. With clasped hands we returned to the house to pack our things and leave.