Needed for new book: dream stories of deceased loved ones

[minkgrl]

My mother died May 7, 1994. We were very close. A few months after she died I had a dream. Mom and I were sitting in her garden - she loved her garden, it was her pride and joy. We were sitting on the bench at the fish pond by the hummingbird feeders and she turned to me and said, I don't want him to just plant perennials. Then we both just turned and looked at the garden and that was it.

That following spring my father decided to plant all perennials because annuals were too much work. I couldn't get him to do it differently. And to tell him what I knew mom wanted, it would not have meant much to him and he would not have believed me had I told him she came to me in a dream.

A second dream was one my niece had. She was 3 when my mom died. About 2 months after mom died I had my niece in the car with me and we drove past a cemetary. (my mother was cremated, we had a very private service at home and I have mom's ashes with me in Floriday). When we drove past the cemetary, my niece said to me "that's where dead people are". I explained to her that many people bury their loved ones, but their spirits or souls do not stay there, they go up to heaven. At that my niece said to me...."I know, it's really pretty there too" To this point we had not had any discussions about heaven with my niece. We simply explained to her that Gram had gone to live with Jesus in heaven.

Before I could respond to what she had said, she continued to tell me that "she couldn't wait til she was old enough to be able to go to heaven and be with me, her mommy and Gram...." She said that Gram showed her heaven and how pretty it was but told her that she could not stay and would not be able to live in heaven until she was alot older...."

This same child had a dream the day after my mother died and when she woke up she told her mom that "Gram is ok..... she told me.... she touched my check and told me she was ok"

This same child was with me again one night and I was crying a little, just tears runningdown my cheek. I thought she was asleep on my lap. She looked up at me and said, "it's ok Aunt Sonya, I will take care of you, Gram told me" and with that she went right back to sleep.

Do I believe in all of these separate situations/ dreams - yes I do. A child's soul is the purest and the most open to experience such wonderful gifts.

[Draylin]

Well it was back in October, 2007 when my grandfather suffered a stroke and was hospitalized, from the little I was told he was mostly in a comastate wakening every once or twice a day. Well one Thursday night I was in alot of pain and on Friday morning I had to call an ambulance and was taken to the hospital, I had a very painful kidney stone. Anyway, at the hospital the pumped me full of drugs and I would go in and out of consciousness only wakening from pain or to vomit (sorry if TMI). I remember that I was dreaming about my grandfather, the one in the hospital, and we were having this long heart to heart talk and everytime I fell asleep we would have a talk and it would be just me and him surrounded by this white/blue fog/mist. I dont remember specifics except looking at him and saying "Wow, what a great conversation Im so happy we had this time to talk!" he replied, "Me as well." I than looked at him and said "Im not going to remember any of this am I? and I rwill never forget his expression when he said "No, your not." Well later in the evening I stopped having the dream I completly stopped dreaming at all and for me that is rare. Anyway I went home and spent all of Saturday just sleeping the drugs out of my system and since the hospital I had not even 1 dream with my grandfather, just dreamless sleep. Well Sunday morning I got a call from my sister that on Saturday morning at around 3:00 am my grandfather passed away. I am sure that what I had with my grandfather was real and it was me and his last conversation together, Ijust wish I could remember all of it.

[purplesage]

Hi Joan,

This is not about a family member, but it felt so real....

My family is of British descent, and my mother was a huge fan of the royal family, particularly, Charles and Diana. I practically grew up thinking they were actually a part of our family somehow. For this reason, I felt horrible about Diana's death. I just couldn't believe it when it happened, but being an adult, and having experienced plenty of deaths in my real family, Felt sad, then just went on with my life.
In my dream, I was in England, where I have never actually been. Diana and I were walking down a road, which appeared to be a country road, but I'm not sure. We were talking, and I don't remember what about, but I had a feeling of Closure of some kind. We walked to where there were gates, and I think that in real life, it was where people had put flowers outside of the gates of the estste where she lived. In the dream we were looking at the flowers, and she was remarking about how nice it was of people to have put the flowers there, and we were reading the cards that were with ththem and noting who had sent them. I seemed to know , and so did she that the flowers were placed there for her death, and it made us sad, but we didn't talk about her being dead, or rather, we didn't bring up the fact that she was dead, although we both seemed to know that in the dream.
It doesn't seem like much, but it was unlike most of my dreams in the sense that it seemed so real, and upon awakening, I felt like I had really been with her. I never met her, didn't know her but my first thought was that my mother would have been happy that I had that dream. I also felt that she was OK, and I had more of a sense of letting go than I did with my own family members when they died. Closure was the only way I could describe it. I have come tho think that maybe this dream was really about the deaths of my mother and father, and the fact that I was so emotionless when they died, and never really let myself grieve, that this was a way of experiencing closure for their deaths....
Who knows???

[Rachel]

Hi Joan. I just thought I'd share this:

I had a turbulent relationship with my mother although it was also based on what I believe was a deep mutual respect (not that we ever told one another that!)

She died two days after my husband and I married (not unexpectedly as she had terminal cancer) and because of our relationship, I found it very difficult to come to terms with her death.

Some time later, I dreamt that she and I were walking together and it was my wedding day. The setting was a large ancient Roman garden/courtyard and although it was full of plants and beautiful paving, I actually recall the setting from my visit to Pompeii.

We were talking to one another in very muffled tones. I couldn't hear what was being said but the 'dream me' was obviously taking it all in and the discussion appeared to be quite in-depth but was good-natured (unusual for us).

When we reached the exit she said 'it's alright' and the dream ended.

This is probably quite a common dream for those who have lost loved ones but the setting puzzled me. My mother wasn't with me when I visited Pompeii and the fact that Pompeii is associated with volcanoes also made me think of my previous post on this site regarding a dream where I saved my dog, who recently died, from molten lava.

This might be spurious as there wasn't an actual volcano in the dream about my mother.

[flynnc8]

I lost my younger sibling when i was only 2 years old, and have almost no memory of her what so ever apart from that of which my mum and dad have filled in in on.

When i was 12 years old i moved out of my family home due to personal reasons which i dont care to discuss. During this time I began to stay in a number of hostels and shelters for homeless teenagers.

my life began to spiral from a young age, but in 2004 I had the weirdest dream of a young girl holding my hand and pulling me towards my old primary school... I didnt recognise the girl, but when i woke there was a dog standing outside the window parking in at me for no apparent reason...

A couple of weeks past and i decided to go back to school and get my life back on track, at the present time i didnt feel this dream had any relevance.

But in september 2006 I was acceptted into Trinity College, Dublin. I am now studying for a degree in modern history.

Even though so many things have happened in my life throughout the years. I look back on this one dream and feel so strongly that this young girl was my sibling, guiding me, showing me the path I needed to take in order to suceed..

Dont know if that is any help, but it is a dream i shall certainly treasure for life and honestly believe so strongly that it was her.

[lindseyloo]

I had a dream about my ex-boyfriend about a month after my he died.

He was in my female roommate's body, and we were going to his funeral. I knew it was him, but it seemed like most people who saw "her" didn't think anything of it. The police, however, seemed to know who he was, and that he shouldn't be there.

We went out the back door of the church the funeral was being held in, and the police saw us, so we started running. we tried several different hiding places, but they would always find us.

Through the whole dream, we were having fun. We were laughing and playing, as if we knew they wouldn't catch us, but it was all generalized, I didn't remember any conversation or specific things.

At one point, I said I couldn't run anymore, because I was too tired. He looked right at me and said "We have to keep running, because if we stop, they'll catch us, and then you'll wake up. I want to spend some more time with you before you go."

At the end, we were sitting under a rack of clothes once things had become more hectic and upsetting, and he waved at me, then walked out and got shot by the police.

[Fonskers]

When I was 17 and a senior in high school (Class of 2003!!), one of my best friends, Ralph, passed away suddenly from an aortic aneurysm (he had celebrated his own 17th birthday just 11 days before his death). I was in shock, I was depressed, and I was heartbroken...amongst a million other heart-wrenching emotions. About two months after his death, I started seeing him in my dreams.

The first dream was certainly the most vivid. He appeared wearing Mickey Mouse's sourcerer's hat (you know, the blue one with the stars on it). We were in a motel room and I was about to watch a new to theater movie on an old tv that still had rabbit ears. Ralph sat next to me on the bed and told me he wanted to watch the movie with me...that he had been looking forward to seeing it. I turned to him in shock and said, "Ralph, how are you sitting next to me? You're dead!" He responded, "Nah, I'm not dead. I'm right here." I was still in shock and I said, "Ralph, I spoke at your funeral, I went to your viewing...you're gone!" Ralph then proceeded to get on a broomstick of all things and started flying around the room saying, "Well, if you say so then I guess I am...but at least now I can do cool things like fly!" (Ralph was voted our class clown before he died, if this paints the picture a little better). I spent the rest of the dream watching him fly around the room that had no ceiling but had four walls and a bright blue sky.

The next dream was not as vivid visually, but the message was. Ralph and I were walking, where I'm not sure. I asked him why he had told me in my other dream that he wasn't dead and he replied, "Because I'm not." I again was confused and upon seeing this in my face, he stopped walking, turned to me and said very simply, "I am 'dead'. I am still very 'alive'. I am happy, I am healthy, and I am safe." I asked how this was possible and asked how I can see him again. He told me that he is always with me and that he'd visit me from time to time in my dreams. It wasn't until I woke up that I understood what he meant by still being alive.

The third memorable dream was very grotesque. Ralph left behind a younger sister with whom I still keep in contact with. They were both in my dream, but it was like something out of a SAW movie. They were both laying on metal surgical tables, rusty tools surrounding each table. Ralph's sister was half dead and it was explained to me that I could bring Ralph back to life but I would have to sacrifice his sister. I desperately wanted to bring Ralph back, of course, but I couldn't bring myself to sacrifice his sister. Later as the dream was ending, Ralph's voice said, "I understand your decision. It was the right one."

Ralph still makes cameo appearances in my dreams. Every once in awhile I will have dreams that center around him, but those are becoming fewer and fewer. No matter the scenario; however, I am very happy to see him because I miss him SO much and this is THE way to keep in touch it seems.

[pandorang]

Though I've dreamt of deceased loved ones and awoke with positive feelings, I've had two very disturbing dreams involving loved ones whom were very unhappy in life.
The first involved my grandparents. My grandfather was a joyous, loving person in life, while my grandma suffered from delusions and then dementia later in life. They both died of mostly natural causes: grandpa from heart attack in 1979, grandma refused to eat in nursing home - died 1987.
In my dream, two years after my grandma's passing, I found myself watching them in their old cabin in the UP. Though my grandpa knew I was there, he seemed uncomfortable by my presence. When he finally made eye contact with me, I "mentally" asked him if my grandma was now in a better place. His look told me two things: 1) No, she was not in a better place, and 2) I should leave.
My second unsettling dream was of my best friend who killed herself about ten years ago. I'm in a small, dirty hotel room with her which has no windows. There's a full-size mattress on the floor and a single inflatable mattress which I'm readying for her brother who is supposedly on his way. We aren't speaking, yet I look at her and again "mentally" ask if she's in a good place after death. For a flash, I saw her eyes looking petrified and her head smashed (she had jumped off a building in life). I awoke filled with despair.
I don't believe in heaven or hell - especially not hell - but these dreams didn't give me the peace of mind that my loved ones who were tortured in life are now at peace. I hate these dreams.

[beckomabober]

I had this dream about a year after my cousin died. She died at age 19 and i hadn't seen her since she was about 13 or so, so i was unsure of how she looked.
Anyway, in my dream i walked into a basic room. Neutral brown carpetting and walls. My cousin was sitting on a black stool and there was an empty black stool next to her. I automatically knew who she was and walked over to the empty stool and sat down next to her. I was an observer in my dream, and was able to see both of us, but i couldn't hear anything that was going on. What made this dream stand out so much to me was that we looked so much alike. Both in black bottoms and a plain white blouse, same skin tone and hair color, both of our faces even meshed a bit to be more alike one another's. The only difference was that i was wearing glasses and her hair was straight and mine wavy.

I was never able to find closure in her death, her dying so young, so i wonder if that had anything to do with it.

[MichelleM78]

Here is one for you....

I was extremely close to my dad's father. He had terminal colon cancer and passed in January 1998.

Approximately 6 months prior to his death and receiving word that he was in fact terminal. I had a dream that he passed and I was at the funeral staring at him in his coffin. As you might immagine this was not pleasant. Then we received word that he was terminal and had to more from his home into hospice.

One day while visiting my grandfather asked me to help him shave. I held the mirror up to his face while he used his electric razor. I knew that this was the last time I would see my grandfather alive. Three days later he slipped into a coma and had the death rattle. I could not go and sit with him, but my parents were there when he passed.

Meanwhile...my grandmother (his wife) had Alzheimers and wasn't living in the present/knowing what was going on around her. I was also extremely close to her. The minute my grandfather passed he said goodbye and my grandmother screamed, "No. Leo!" and started to cry.

March 1998. My grandmother was not doing well. I was over at my friend's house and had a wave of depression hit me from left field. I started crying hysterically. I didn't know why but I felt as though I wanted to die. I went home later that night and my mother told me that my grandmother had died. She had passed and said goodbye to me at the exact minute I felt the wave of depression.

I have dreamed of both my grandparents since they have passed. I have had many visits from them, my other grandmother, and my great aunt.

It was a couple of months after losing both grandparents that my grandfather came to me and told me that everything was going to be all right. I believed him. I know that my grandparents are watching and protecting me from Heaven.

My most recent visit was from my deceased cat. Yes I know that pets are not equal to people, but when you don't have kids then sometimes the bonds with your animals are closer then people can imagine.

I don't know if you are going to dedicate a small section to pets or not, but please keep in mind that some people consider them just as much a part of the family as people.

I have dreamt of my cat numerous times since I put him to sleep in July of 2007. He came to me and made me feel at ease that he was no longer suffering. I had another dream that he was playing with my new kittens and running around the house.

My most recent dream is somewhat of a puzzler. My cat was in my bathtub and I asked him what he was doing in there. He then screamed. I turned away and he disappeared. I think my cat is trying to warn me of something in the future. I am not sure what, but when it happens then I think I will be able to put everything together.

I will let you know if I have any other dreams of my relatives. Over 10yrs I have had quite a few so you never know!