Member Column
by Jim Greer
LW contributor
Have you ever wakened from a dream, amazed that just minutes before you were visiting with a long past loved one? These types of dreams are so encouraging. Once again reunited with someone you have longed to see, sitting in casual conversation as if their passing had never occurred.
My brother passed seven years ago, and since that day I have regretted not having spoken with him as often as I might. Just as I woke this morning, I was coming out of a dream with the two of us riding a tram into Disneyland, talking matter-of-factly, as if he were still here. Though a short dream that ended before our ride did, I was amazed that this seemingly real and sweet meeting could occur. I had to thank God for that brief but precious visit.
In the Old and New Testament, there are recorded visitations, dreams, and visions given to men and women while still asleep. God did then, and still does today find it easier to communicate with us when we are doing nothing else. And thank goodness for such times!
Shortly after his passing, my wife’s father appeared to her in a dream to reassure her that he was fine and not to worry about him. This was a blessing that calmed her grieving heart and assured her that all life’s experiences—traumatic or otherwise— can be overcome, in this life or the next.
A year after his passing, friends and family of George Harrison held a memorial concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Harrison’s wife Olivia, and son Dhani with Tom Petty, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, and others celebrated their departed friend by performing much of the beautiful music he had composed.
In the final act, longtime friend Joe Brown sang “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” the 1924 song written by Guss Kahn and Isham Jones. With simple words and a reassuring tune, the song speaks to all who have lost a loved one.
Tho' the days are long, twilight sings a song, Of the happiness that used to be, Soon my eyes will close, soon I'll find repose, And in dreams you're always near to me.
An article titled “The Importance of Dreams and What They Can Represent,” by integrative therapist Joshua Miles, points out that, “dreams can give clues to areas of our lives which require attention, our significant relationships or aspects of ourselves which we are concerned about. The importance of dreams should not be underestimated, nor should we dismiss reoccurring themes.”
Granted, the world we live in can engender nightmares, but we have in our dreams and mediations opportunities to travel beyond our fears.
Deep in our hearts and minds we have an intimate connection to our Creator and all that he has created.
And those creations include our loved ones. They and we are eternal, and though we cannot see them in our waking moments they can return to us in our dreams.
