A good friend was recently paid a dream visit by his departed mother. He said she gave him the greatest hug and it felt *so* *good* to feel her that way again. I am reminded of the following dream visit I had from my own mother; interestingly, she visited me at about the same time after her death that his visited him....

"...the dream season was fall, the dream home was magnificent, old plantation, white, wood, w/ a veranda on which we spent most of our time. She was readying herself for departure, preparing herself to be motored away in a classic automobile (from the 1940s?)... only brother Jimmy, myself, and two people w/ whom I am presently unfamiliar - young people, a man and a woman both w/ dark brown hair and eyes, both w/ gentle, easy dispositions...

Mom wore a long, flowing cloak and winter clothes. She was as tall as me, and young and healthy looking and brave.

After we all had shared our love and sadness at her leaving, Mom took steps toward the car where her driver was patiently waiting. From the veranda I shouted, "Fair winds and following seas, Mom! Fair winds and following seas!" As I was laughing at this, she hurried back to me, took me by the arm and pushed me inside the house. The room was of dark wood panelling and quite comfortable. On the walls hung pictures of spiritual scenes foretelling different aspects of the after-life.

Almost in anger, she urged me to take things seriously. When I apologized and explained "I was only being silly," she at last calmed. She was relieved. "But remember where it stems from..." she said. And she put her tired hand over the painting before us and said, "Because it isn't all what we think it is."

On the veranda we put our arms around each other in a great embrace. I could feel my body melting into the warmth of her love.

"I love you, Mom," I said. "I love you so very much."


Like the dream itself, I don't remember our embrace ever ending.