mom, i had a funny dream

Cha woke up in a great mood and told me she had a funny dream. She climbed up on my lap and went on and on with the details. I really wanted to stop and grab my camera to catch every word, but I didn't want to ruin the moment.

In her dream she went to the beach. All alone. I asked if she drove by herself and she said a blue whale took her. She was standing outside and yelled at a passing blue whale 'Let's go to the beach!' He stopped and allowed her to climb on his back. Then he took off, and because this was a special blue whale with wings, they flew high in the air and she laughed the whole way.

He landed on her beach towel, which she found funny since he had his own right next to hers. All the people at the beach were happy to see him because it was hot and he provided shade. 'It's a good thing he gave us shade because he used my umbrella as a lollipop.'

She pulled two tubes of 'scunscreen' out of her beach bag. The blue whale used his fins to put lotion on Cha and she needed a giant tube to put it on him. Then they had fun playing in the water.

Dream over. 'Isn't that funny?!', she said.

Last week my mother showed up in a dream. It was the first time I felt that she is with me always. My father was also in the dream. He invited Cha and I over for dinner and asked for my help fixing the fence in his backyard. While I was out back pulling weeds that were breaking down the fence I turned to see my mother lead Cha into the playroom to color and read books. Not only is my mother always there, she's still lending a hand.

On an unrelated note, my mother's aunt passed away yesterday. She had been in a home for the past couple of months and I was fortunate to spent time with her on our recent visit. There were moments when she was aware that I was there. I brought the younger nieces, including Cha and we jabbered about our vacation. The last few visits I went alone and spent quiet time in prayer, asking God for a peaceful ending. (She was asking for one too.) She was a special person and left behind some pretty incredible memories.